Downward comparison in everyday life: Reconciling self-enhancement models with the mood-cognition priming model

Two models concerning downward comparison are motivational; they predict th at when people are unhappy, they make downward comparisons to self-enhance (e.g., Wills, 1981). In contrast, the affect-cognition priming model (Wheel er & Miyake, 1992) predicts that unhappy people make upward comparisons bec ause negative affect makes mood-congruent comparisons more accessible. The authors propose that both motivational and accessibility factors influence social comparisons. A study of undergraduates' self-recorded everyday compa risons supported this view. In addition, results (a) pointed to motivationa l influences other than self-enhancement and an accessibility influence oth er than mood-congruent priming, (b) suggested that motivated and unintended comparisons may differ somewhat in their susceptibility to motivational an d accessibility influences, and (c) identified challenges to both self-enha ncement and priming models.