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The Effects of Social Comparisons on Happiness in a Motivational Context

Garofalo, Giovanni J.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1216330486

Abstract Details

2008, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
Previous research has found a negative relationship between happiness and the importance an individual places on striving towards extrinsic goals. In contrast, happiness has been shown to be positively related to the importance an individual places on intrinsic goals. This study seeks to explore ways these two types of motivation differ in functioning by taking an in depth look at social comparisons within both types of goal striving and how those comparisons influence judgments of happiness. The importance of extrinsic and intrinsic goals were measured using an adapted version of the Aspiration Index (Kasser & Ryan, 1993), and social comparison orientation was measured using the Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure (Gibbons & Buunk, 1999). Using a 2 (Goal Outcome: success vs. failure) x 2 (Social Comparison Direction: downward vs. lateral) x 2 (Goal Type: extrinsic vs. intrinsic) factorial design, a series of vignettes were written describing goal striving in everyday life, which participants were instructed to read and imagine themselves in each situation. After reading each vignette participants reported how happy they thought they would be in that scenario. Contrary to hypotheses, intrinsic and extrinsic importance scores were related equally to social comparison orientation. However, a hypothesized 2-way interaction was found between comparison direction and goal type, suggesting that the manipulation of social comparisons had greater effects on happiness in extrinsic contexts compared to intrinsic contexts. However, other findings painted a more complex picture of how motivations and social comparisons may interact, and urge that further research attempting to link specific motivations with happiness should consider the effects of social comparisons.
John Updegraff, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
57 p.
Psychology
Social Comparison; Goals; Motivation; Emotion

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Garofalo, G. J. (2008). The Effects of Social Comparisons on Happiness in a Motivational Context [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1216330486

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Garofalo, Giovanni. The Effects of Social Comparisons on Happiness in a Motivational Context. 2008. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1216330486.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Garofalo, Giovanni. "The Effects of Social Comparisons on Happiness in a Motivational Context." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1216330486

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1216330486
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© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.