Social comparison and reflected appraisal are two concepts that help us understand how individuals evaluate themselves concerning others and how they perceive their own worth.
Social Comparison: This refers to the process of comparing oneself to others to gauge one’s abilities, opinions, or traits. This can be either upward, where we compare ourselves to someone we perceive as better, or downward, where we compare ourselves to someone we think is worse off. For example, if a student sees their friend getting better grades and feeling more confident, they may feel inferior, prompting a social comparison that could lead to feelings of inadequacy.
Reflected Appraisal: This concept involves interpreting how others view us, which influences our self-image. It’s about how we think others perceive our characteristics, leading us to form ideas about ourselves. For instance, if a person receives positive feedback from colleagues and feels valued at work, they may start to see themselves as competent and capable, which enhances their self-esteem based on that reflected appraisal.
In summary, while social comparison is about measuring ourselves against others, reflected appraisal is about understanding how we think others see us. Both play crucial roles in shaping our self-perception and self-esteem.