NSF Org:	BCS Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences
Recipient:	IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Initial Amendment Date:	May 2, 1988
Latest Amendment Date:	May 2, 1988
Award Number:	8718691
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Jean B. Intermaggio BCS  Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences SBE  Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences
Start Date:	August 15, 1988
End Date:	March 31, 1990 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$56,579.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$56,579.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 1988 = $56,579.00
History of Investigator:	Frederick Gibbons (Principal Investigator) fgibbons@iastate.edu Meg Gerrard (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	Iowa State University 1350 BEARDSHEAR HALL AMES IA  US  50011-2103 (515)294-5225
Sponsor Congressional District:	04
Primary Place of Performance:	DATA NOT AVAILABLE
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	DQDBM7FGJPC5
Parent UEI:	DQDBM7FGJPC5
NSF Program(s):	Social Psychology
Primary Program Source:
Program Reference Code(s):
Program Element Code(s):	133200
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.075

ABSTRACT

Recent research in the areas of social and health psychology has applied Festinger's (1954) theory of social comparison to the study of coping processes. This research has indicated that people who are facing psychological or physical problems (e.g.,cancer, loss of a loved one) will often compare their own situation with that of others who are thought to be worse off, a process called downward comparison. Research by the current investigators has indicated that this type of social comparison can improve mood states and increase optimism about coping abilities. New studies will examine downward comparison as it occurs in two settings. The researchers will examine specific aspects of the downward comparison process, including when people choose to engage in it, what types of people are chosen as comparison targets, and what effect the process has on the perspectives of those who engage in it. Studies will look at how this type of social comparison affect individual's perceptions of deviance, coping abilities and problem severity. The effect it has on individual's perceptions of others who share their problem will also be studied. Downward comparison as it occurs naturally in community support groups for persons with medical and psychological problems will be investigated. This study will assess group members' preferences for (downward) social comparison targets (e.g., a desire to have in their group others who are coping better or worse with the same problem), and relate this preference to changes in optimism and mood and in self-perceptions of coping ability. The research should provide useful information about the process of downward comparison per se, as well as when it ocurs naturally and what effects it has on the people who engage in it and on their perceptions of others like themselves.

Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.