Naturalistic Assessment of Social Comparison Behaviours Across Dimensions of Perfectionism

There is some research to suggest a relationship between perfectionism and social comparison. However, this research is limited in scope, and speaks little to how these relationships manifest in day-to-day life. For instance, little is known about how different dimensions of perfectionism relate to different types of social comparisons, and whether these relationships can be observed in how frequently individuals engage in these comparisons, how they feel following these comparisons, and to whom they choose to compare themselves. The current study aimed to fill this gap in knowledge by observing how undergraduate students with varying levels of perfectionism engage in social comparisons, using a 2-week diary design. Results generally did not support the study’s hypotheses. Findings are discussed in the context of improving future studies. These discussions touch on contexts and affective outcomes in which social comparisons may be more relevant, participant compliance, and perfectionism’s relationship with non-upward social comparisons.