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“Reaching for the stars” and “Looking down from a pedestal”: Do discrepancies between the self and positive or poor role models influence emotional adjustment?

McDaniel, B. L., Daugherty, J. R., Rycek, J. M., Jeter, W. K., Eason, E. A.

Keywords:
Idiographic methodology, social comparisons, self-discrepancies, role models, psychological adjustment

Abstract:
The present study expands on previous research by examining social comparisons between the self and personally known positive and poor role models. Consistent with previous research on upward social comparisons, discrepancies between the self and positive role models (i.e., reaching for the stars) were more associated with self-esteem and anxiety. In contrast, downward social comparisons involving discrepancies between the self and poor role models (i.e., looking down from a pedestal) were more associated with depression and anger rumination. Findings are discussed within the context of the conceptual framework of “reaching for the stars” and “looking down from a pedestal”.