Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: August 25, 2023
Feeling better about doing worse: social comparisons within romantic relationships
Penelope Lockwood1, Dan Dolderman, Pamela Sadler
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. lockwood@psych.utoronto.ca
Abstract:
The authors examined the role of closeness between self and partner in determining the impact of social comparisons within intimate relationships. To the extent that one's partner is a central aspect of one's identity, one may be able to restore one's positive self-regard following an upward comparison with the partner by turning to the relationship as a self-affirmational resource. Studies 1 and 2 examined reactions to imagined comparisons; Studies 3 and 4 examined reactions to actual comparison feedback. Across studies, closeness moderated the impact of upward comparisons with the partner; that is, higher closeness participants responded to a more successful partner by focusing on their relationship-related strengths. However, closeness did not moderate the impact of downward comparisons with the partner.
Related Concept Videos
Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
Social Exchange Theory
Social Exchange Theory
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model

