Forms of Social Comparison in Different Socioeconomic and First-Generation Statuses

Authors

Juliana Arguello
Alena Raya
Isabella Castellanos
Jasmyne Thomas
Anisa Halperin

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

This study examined how social comparison affects those students who are or are not first-generation college students (FGCS and NFGCS) and those who come from different socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds at a university where the majority of students are minorities. Undergraduate students at our university participated in an online study where they were asked to compare themselves to the typical student demographics of our university. From participant responses, we tested for each sample; if social comparison differed between FGCS and NFGCS, and low-SES and high-SES. We hypothesized downward identification would be higher for FGCS and low-SES participants. Participants categorized as high-SES had the tendency overall to use downward identification more than those in low-SES group. NFGCS participants used downward identification more than FGCS participants. Overall, high-SES students used downward identification more than low-SES students, supporting our hypothesis; however, NFGCS used downward identification more than FGCS, which opposed our hypothesis.

Comments

Poster Session
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Recommended Citation

Arguello, Juliana; Raya, Alena; Castellanos, Isabella; Thomas, Jasmyne; and Halperin, Anisa, "Forms of Social Comparison in Different Socioeconomic and First-Generation Statuses" (2024). Student Research Symposium 2024. 43.
https://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/srs_2024/43