Josie has just been diagnosed with cancer. According to the information presented in your text, first state what upward social comparisons and downward social comparisons are,

then explain what Josie would gain by making an upward and a downward social comparison.

What will be an ideal response?


Answer: An upward social comparison is when a person compares him or herself with someone better than they are: perhaps an expert. Downward social comparisons are when a person compares him or herself with someone worse than they are, and is more likely in cancer patients. Josie may make upward social comparisons against cancer survivors as a way of learning strategies to cope with and survive cancer. She may be inspired by their stories. Josie would make downward social comparisons against people with more advanced stages of cancer than she has—or even people who died from cancer—in order to enhance her sense of self and feel better about her situation.

Psychology

You might also like to view...

In summarizing the research on sexual behaviors, which of the following is a correct statement about solo sexual behavior?

A. People who have a good, active sex life are not at all likely to engage in masturbation when compared with people with an inactive sex life. B. People who have a good, active sex life are more likely to engage in masturbation when compared with people with an inactive sex life. C. People who have a bad, inactive sex life are more likely to engage in masturbation when compared with people with an active sex life. D. Having an active or inactive sex life does not seem to impact masturbation rates.

Psychology

When developmentalists have considered fluid and crystallized intelligence to determine if intelligence continues to grow, slow, or decline with age, they determined that __________.

A. fluid intelligence does decline; however, crystallized intelligence holds steady and can improve B. crystallized intelligence does decline; however, fluid intelligence holds steady and can improve C. both fluid and crystallized intelligence decline with age D. both fluid and crystallized intelligence improve with age

Psychology

In research reports, a statement that "the results of the experiment were statistically significant" means that the difference must be large enough so that it would occur by chance in how many experiments out of 100

a. less than five b. less than 20 c. more than five d. more than 20

Psychology

The Supreme Court has recently ruled that it is forbidden to exercise peremptory challenges on the basis of religion

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Psychology