Abstract
Relationship social comparison tendencies were examined between males and females. The social comparison theory states that people compare themselves to others because they have an urge or tendency to determine where they are at life.
The objective of the research was to see if there was difference in the way males and females compared their relationships to others relationships. The researchers predicted that woman were more liking to engage in relationship comparison tendencies. The researchers handed out three different surveys to random participants, throughout queens college.
Keywords: Social Comparison Tendencies, gender, relationships.
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Introduction
As humans we tend to compare ourselves to others on many different levels, and these comparisons can have an impact on one’s self-esteem, motivation, and basic overall satisfaction with their life. The social comparison theory by Leon Festinger states that human beings have the drive to assess their opinions and to know more about their abilities, when they are incapable of evaluating their thoughts, and abilities, they tend to compare themselves with others. Festinger, L. (1954).
In previous research dependency and insecurity in romantic relationships was analyzed through self-report scales for assessment of perceived dependency and insecurity in romantic relationships Attridge, M., Berscheid, E., & Sprecher, S. (1998).
The association between dependency and insecurity and the relationship conditions that moderate this association; association with other theoretically relevant dimensions of close relationships; and dyadic-level issues of partner similarity and correlates of discrepancies in levels of dependency and insecurity Attridge, M., Berscheid, E., & Sprecher, S. (1998).
The studied showed that these scales were reliable and valid and correlate with other constructs, such as closeness, attachment and love. Another study recognized that insecurity and relationship social comparison tendencies and how they are perceived with relationship quality. Relationship social comparison (RSC) tendencies, insecurity, and perceived relationship quality have been examined. LeBeau & Buckingham’s research examine insecurity about the self and relationship insecurity.
When doing so the researchers included measures of general relationship insecurity, anxious attachment, and avoidant attachment. This study showed that relations between RSC tendencies and relationship insecurity are not accounted for by self-esteem. In this study they also saw that individuals who continuously compare their relationships with others will encounter a mixture of upward and downward comparisons, these comparisons can lead people to feel worse or better about their relationships. In this study their predictions on RSC tendencies were negatively correlated with relationship intimacy and satisfaction and positively correlated with perceived quality of relationship alternatives.
RSC and relationship investment were positively related, RSC and relationship commitment was negative but however, did not reach conventional levels of statistical significance. Lastly in this study, RSC tendencies and general social comparison tendencies were significantly correlated.
The purpose of our study, was to examine relationship comparison tendencies between males and females. The goal of the research was to see how males and females in relationships compare theirs to others. I predicted that females who had lower participants with higher scores are more to compare themselves and be dissatisfied with their partner.
Participants
All participants were in a monogamous relationship for 2+ months. The participants ethnicity consisted of caucasian, African Americans, American Asians.
Materials
Participants were randomly chosen on Cuny Queens College Campus. Participants were given three different surveys to answer. Experience in Close Relationships Scale, an attachment style scale. It is a 36 item scale. Responses were scored using a 5-point interval. 1- strongly disagree, 5-strongly agree, two of these question were reverse scored.
Survey for General Comparison Orientation (INCOM, Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Scale). The Social Comparison Orientation is an 11 item scale. Responses were scored using a 5-point interval. 1- strongly disagree, 5-strongly agree. Social Comparison Scale. Is an 11 – item scale.
On how you compare yourself to others, the ratings were recorded on a scale of 1-10. Another Social Comparison Scale. Is an 11 – item scale. On how you compare yourself to others, the ratings were recorded on a scale of 1-10.
Procedure
Upon meeting the participants, informed consent was given. Participants were told that there information would not be used for anything other than results in our research project. Next, participants were given the three surveys in a random order. We asked each of them to take their time while answering the questions. We made sure that if partners were approached together their packets were in a different order than their significant other, and they were not allowed to sit together while answering. After, each participant completed their surveys, we thanked them for their time and reassured them that their information would only be used only for the purposes of this research paper.
Data Analysis
In order to test if a relationship exists between two variables and to what degree the relationship occurs, a simple correlation test was used between gender and the three scales. In addition, regression was used to predict an outcome.
References
- Attridge, M., Berscheid, E., & Sprecher, S. (1998). Dependency and insecurity in romantic relationships: Development and validation of two companion scales. Personal Relationships,5, 31–58.
- Butzer, B., & Kuiper, N. A. (2006). Relationships between frequency of social comparisons and self-concept clarity, intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety, and depression. Personality and Individual Differences, 41, 167–176.
- Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill.
- Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 1, 117–140.
- Lebeau, L. S., & Buckingham, J. T. (2008). Relationship social comparison tendencies, insecurity, and perceived relationship quality. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 25(1), 71-86.
