Social Comparison Theory: Why We Measure Our Worth
Introduction and Foundational Principles The Social Comparison Theory (SCT), initially formulated by psychologist Leon Festinger in 1954, posits that human beings possess an inherent, fundamental drive to evaluate their own abilities and attitudes. This evaluation is necessary for self-regulation, accurate decision-making, and successful navigation of the social environment. Crucially, Festinger argued that when objective, non-social […]