Analysis

The Social Comparison Scale is a psychometric assessment tool used to measure individuals’ tendency to compare themselves with others. It was developed to evaluate how people perceive themselves in relation to others across various domains, such as abilities, achievements, and appearance. The scale consists of questions that ask participants to self-assess in comparison to a reference group, e.g., their friends or peers.

Objective

The main objective of the Social Comparison Scale is to understand how social comparison affects individuals’ self-esteem and psychological well-being. Comparison with others can lead to either positive or negative emotions. For example, comparing oneself to people perceived as superior may lower self-esteem, while comparing to those perceived as inferior may enhance it. Understanding these mechanisms is important for managing mental health issues and improving self-esteem.

Calibration

Calibration of the Social Comparison Scale is usually carried out using a five-point or seven-point Likert scale. Participants are asked to respond to items with answers ranging from “Much Less” to “Much More” regarding how they perceive themselves compared to others. The total score is calculated by summing the responses and can be used to determine the individual’s overall tendency toward social comparison, whether positive or negative.

Bibliography

Allan, S. & Gilbert, P. (1995). A social comparison scale: Psychometric properties and relationship to psychopathology. Personality and Individual Differences, 19, 293–299.