Human Growth and Development / Unit 8 HGD 1055 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Social Comparison and the Ideal Self
Captions available
The idea
Social comparison intensifies in middle childhood, across academics, sport and social status, and self-esteem falls as the gap between self-concept and ideal self widens.
In practice
A would-be fastest runner feeling worse after a friend wins the race.
Where people slip
Self-esteem generally rises through middle childhood but can dip toward adolescence, often at school transitions; warm caregiving predicts higher self-esteem.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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