L'Autunno by Laurens Boersma
Downward comparison in close relationships
A blessing in disguise?
Thesis, University of Groningen, June 1999
© Frans Oldersma, Groningen, The Netherlands,
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Contents
Chapter 1
 
Introduction
Downward social comparison: a mixed blessing?
A theory of social comparison processes
The consequences of cognitive downward comparison for the perceived relationship quality
Responses to others' overt downward social comparison activities
Individual differences in social comparison orientation
The current thesis
Chapter 2
 
Introduction
Cognitive downward comparison as a mechanism of selective evaluation
Individual differences in social comparison orientation
The current research
 
Study 1
Does cognitive downward comparison lead to higher perceived quality of the relationship? A laboratory experiment
 
Introduction / Method / Results / Discussion
 
Study 2
Discontent and comparison orientation as moderators of partner-enhancing downward comparison: A field experiment
 
Introduction / Method / Results / Discussion
 
Study 3
The buffering effect of relationship-enhancing downward comparison for those high in comparison orientation: A replication study in a laboratory setting
 
Introduction / Method / Results / Discussion / General Discussion / Conclusion
Chapter 3
 
Introduction
Responses to others engaging in overt downward social comparison
The current research
 
Study 4
Reactions to other's enhancing and deprecating evaluations of the self (as a partner) and the partner: A field study
 
Introduction / Method / Results / Discussion
 
Study 5
Reactions to other's enhancing and deprecating evaluations of the self (as a partner) and the partner: A laboratory study
 
Introduction / Method / Results / Discussion
 
Study 6
Reactions to other's comparative and noncomparative evaluations of the self (as a partner) and the partner: A laboratory study
 
Introduction / Method / Results / Discussion / General Discussion
Chapter 4
 
Downward comparison: a blessing in disguise?
The consequences of cognitive downward comparison
Reactions to others' overt downward social comparisons
Conclusion
Miscellaneous
 
Samenvatting (in Dutch)
Stellingen (in Dutch)
References
Contents