Social comparisons are one of the most ubiquitous behaviors that individuals, groups, and firms undertake. In particular, social comparison theory is based upon the premise that actors are motivated to engage in comparisons and that decisions throughout this process impact employees’ core self-evaluations, team relations, executives’ behaviors, firm prestige, and more. However, despite the prevalence of the phenomenon—and thereby the frequent application of the theory in organizational studies—a synopsis of the theory’s underpinnings and extant findings remains absent. Here, we present a state-of-the-art review that summarizes the theory’s history and mechanics and critically examines how social comparison theory has been applied in organizational studies across multiple levels of analysis. In particular, we identify several problems within the literature, including patterns of theoretical imprecision when applying the theory, lopsided attention paid to the micro-level of analysis, and an underappreciation of subjective comparisons. In addition to discussing the extant literature and common methodological approaches, we present a simplified model of social comparisons. Based on this new theory-building, we discuss ways the field can move forward to reconcile some of the identified problems.

Excessive social media use has become a growing concern due to its potential to affect self-perception, particularly through lowered self-esteem and a heightened fear of negative evaluation. With the increasing tendency for individuals to curate idealised online personas, understanding the psychological factors that drive this behaviour is critical. This study applies Self-Discrepancy Theory, Social Comparison Theory, and Gender Schema Theory to explain how self-perception, constant comparisons, and internalised gender norms drive online behaviours. A survey of 400 active social media users in Pakistan was conducted, and the data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). This study revealed that false self-presentation significantly heightened the fear of negative evaluation, which mediated its influence on excessive social media use. Social comparison, contrary to expectations, boosted self-esteem while also fuelling excessive use, as individuals sought validation online. Gender also appeared to play a moderating role, with women experiencing a stronger link between social comparison and self-esteem. However, gender did not moderate the relationship between false self-presentation and the fear of negative evaluation, suggesting similar psychological effects across genders. This study highlights that the fear of negative evaluation and social comparison-driven self-esteem are key psychological mechanisms behind excessive social media use, while gender plays a role in shaping the impact of social comparison but not false self-presentation. This study provides empirical evidence that excessive social media use is shaped by psychological factors, such as fear of negative evaluation and validation-seeking, driven by social comparison. Interventions aimed at reducing the emotional distress associated with excessive social media use should prioritise digital literacy programs that help users identify how false self-presentation and social comparison shape their fear of negative evaluation and validation-seeking behaviours, especially in appearance-driven online environments.

two (social comparison and social feedback) come from self in relationship to others, the … you get?” Social comparison theory captures the idea that people tend to compare them¬ selves … psychology. Social comparison serves at least two functions. First, social comparison serves an

Social comparison theory, initially proposed by social psychologist Leon Festinger in 1954, centers on the belief that individuals drive to gain accurate Social comparison theory, initially proposed by social psychologist Leon Festinger in 1954, centers on the belief that individuals drive to gain accurate self-evaluations. The theory explains how individuals evaluate their opinions and abilities by comparing themselves to others to reduce uncertainty in these domains and learn how to define the self. Comparing oneself to others socially is a form Social comparison theory, initially proposed by social psychologist Leon Festinger in 1954, centers on the belief that individuals drive to gain accurate self-evaluations. The theory explains how individuals evaluate their opinions and abilities by comparing themselves to others to reduce uncertainty in these domains and learn how to define the self. Comparing oneself to others socially is a form of measurement and self-assessment to identify where an individual stands according their own set of standards and emotions about themselves. Following the initial theory, research began to focus on social comparison as a way of self-enhancement, introducing the concepts of downward and upward comparisons and expanding the motivations of social comparisons. Social comparison can be traced back to the pivotal paper by Herbert Hyman, back in 1942. Hyman revealed the assessment of one's own status is dependent on the group with whom one compares oneself. The social comparison theory is the belief that media influence, social status, and other forms of competitiveness can affect our self-esteem and mood. This can affect individuals' outlook on themselves and how they fit in with others.

This study investigates the impact of disinformation on social media on adolescents’ mental healthby analyzing the documentary film The Social Dilemma as a case study. A qualitative descriptive approachwas employed, focusing on the interpretation of scenes that reflect adolescents’ psychological dynamics inresponding to disinformation. The findings reveal four major themes: (1) anxiety triggered by the need forsocial validation, (2) social comparison leading to feelings of inferiority, (3) pressure to construct a “perfect”self-image aligned with unrealistic media standards, and (4) emotional instability caused by exposure to falseinformation. These findings align with the Halo Effect theory, which explains how negative perceptions of a single aspect of the self can expand into negative overall self-assessment, thereby reinforcing anxiety anddissatisfaction. From the perspective of Islamic communication, the results highlight the relevance of theprinciple of tabayyun (verification of information) as stated in Qur’an Surah Al-Hujurat: 6, along with thevalues of qana‘ah (contentment), muraqabah (self-awareness before God), and ihsan (striving for excellencewith sincerity) in maintaining adolescents’ psychological balance in the digital era. Theoretically, this researchintegrates social psychology with Islamic communication ethics, while practically, it provides insights fordesigning Islamic-based digital literacy strategies to protect youth mental health from the negative impact

particular processes are important: social comparison theory and reflected appraisals. People compare attributes with others and draw inferences about what Self-knowledge is a term in psychology, describing the information needed for an individual to answer the questions "Who am I?" and "What am I like?". Self-knowledge requires both self-awareness and self-consciousness (aware of the fact that one is self-aware). While young infants and chimpanzees display some of the traits of self-awareness, agency, and contingency; they are not considered to be s Peopl…