Social Comparison Theory Analysis

Social perception and self perception are really just the same thing, or are they? One theory of social perception is the implicit personality theory. The idea is that if someone is nice they can be trusted and respected for instance (Smith & Mackie, 2014). Most of the people one already knows are trustworthy if they are nice can be a thought that leads to this theory, so anyone new they meet will be the same way. Social comparison theory is one way a person seeks to define who they are, or their identity (Smith & Mackie, 2014). One searches to invent and define who they are through finding the limits one lives by. This makes social comparison theory a tool, like a hammer or screwdriver, that one uses to give them an outline of their own self.

The difference in the self and social self might become visible in these comparisons. The Psychodynamic Approach is one theory of self perception proposed by Erik Erikson that says people live in stages that they may be aware of, or may not (Smith & Mackie, 2014). If one is aware of the stage of life they are in they may be better able to handle the ups and downs life throws at them. Social behaviorism is a theory that states that people are who they are by how they are socially (Smith & Mackie, 2014). Is one this way because of what they have brought with them to the party, or because it is the way they think that others will want them to be are questions that will arise with this theory.