When Misery Avoids Company: Selective Social Comparisons to Photographic Online Profiles

• In Event: Facebook as a Social Comparison Neighborhood

Abstract

The use of social networking sites appears to be related to individuals’ subjective well-being. Two experiments were conducted to examine how selective exposure to the profiles of other users could allow for mood management via self-enhancing social comparisons. In Study 1, the inclusion of rich impression management cues, such as photographs and vivid status updates, led users in a negative mood to seek assimilating upward social comparisons rather than contrasting downward comparisons. Study 2 found that relatively lower levels of group identification with the social networking site users in question led to assimilation-seeking by users in a negative mood. High group identifiers spent more time viewing upward comparisons, regardless of mood. In addition, selective social comparisons to SNS profiles high on career success improved subsequent mood, but selective social comparisons to physically attractive SNS profiles reduced self-esteem. High group identifiers experienced even greater positive mood following upward social comparisons.

Authors

• Benjamin K. Johnson, VU U

• Silvia Knobloch-Westerwick, Ohio State U