Terra is a really good faculty member. She works hard and is happy to receive good evaluations and raises from her department chair. She finds out, though, that the other faculty members in her department receive better evaluations and higher raises than she does. According to social comparison theory, when Terra compares her evaluations and raises to her peers in her department, she is making a(n) ____.
A) upward social comparison
B) downward social comparison
C) lateral social comparison
D) intrinsic social comparison

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Terra is making an upward social comparison because she is comparing herself to others who are performing better or receiving more favorable outcomes.

Terra Is a Really Good Faculty Member