Comparison may have a simple literal meaning, but it has an intricate application in society that depicts complex psychological phenomenon. As a phenomenon, comparison is deeply rooted in the society.
People make different comparisons either knowingly or unknowingly in their daily life. we compare ourselves with others in terms of wealth, knowledge, potentialities, origin, cast , culture, religion, physical attributes, and other many other variables. Comparisons are also made among nations, people, animals, material things, immaterial things, and all possible parameters in the universe.
‘Mt Everest is the highest peak in the world’, ‘Angelina Jolie is the most beautiful actress in the universe’ and ‘Nepal is a least developed country’, all of these percepts are based on comparisons. Mt Everest is the highest peak when compared to other mountains and Jolie is considered most beautiful because no one is as beautiful as her when compared.
If we view it from philosophical and scientific lenses, comparison is the reason for existence, survival, growth and prosperity of society. But, sometimes ill and inferior comparisons may lead to devastating consequences.
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Social comparison theory proposed by social psychologist Leon Festinger states that human has driven to compare himself with others so as to reach an accurate self evaluation. It lessens uncertainty within the individual and provides bases for defining self. People with low self esteem and facing threat are more prone to make downward comparisons, while people with high self esteem and escalated mood are inclined to make upward comparisons.
Generally upward comparisons motivate people to excel in life and it brings about hope. The feeling of competition roots in the minds of people if they make upward comparisons. It doesn't necessarily always be true that downward comparison yield negative mood and pessimism. People facing troubling times make downward comparison to rationalize their fate and bring resilience within them and revitalize their sprit to fresh start.
The incidents of young girls and boys committing suicide are, to some extent, related with comparison. If they fail to meet the pre-established standards and benchmarks set by the society, they feel inferior and worthless. The ultimate solution a depressed person can think of is to kill oneself.
There may be numerous reasons behind depression and suicide, but the contribution of comparison cannot be ruled out. On the other hand, better and upward comparisons boost an individual's morale and act as catalyst for progress and prosperity.
Meanwhile, the repercussion of comparison depends on our ability to handle it. So, it is better to make healthy and constructive comparisons or no comparison at all.
Ram Hari is a BBA graduate from Shanker Dev Campus, Putalisadak.
