Comparison-level preferences after performance: Is downward comparison theory still useful?
Frederick X. Gibbons, David J. Lane, Meg Gerrard, Monica
Reis-Bergan, Carrie L. Lautrup, Nancy A. Pexa,
Hart Blanton
(2002) Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 83(4),
865-880.
Although often credited with prompting a paradigm shift in social
comparison theory, T.A. Wills's (1981) downward comparison (DC) theory has
received some criticism recently. In
particular, several recent studies have failed to find support for Wills's
(1981) contention that threat and accompanying negative affect lead to a desire
for DC. These apparent failures have
led some investigators to question basic principles of the theory. To resolve this controversy, 5 studies were
conducted examining preferred comparison level (PCL) after performance; 4 of
the studies also assessed change in this preference. Results supported DC theory but with modification. Specifically, individuals who performed
poorly lowered their PCLs. Under some
circumstances, this "downward shift" included an increased interest
in "true" DC-comparing with worse-off others. A reconciliation of these results with those
of previous studies is offered.