Attributional and social comparison processes in depression.

Abstract

In this study we examined the consequences for depressed and nondepressed individuals of receiving comparison feedback regarding their causal understandings of an event. Specifically, the effects of similar, dissimilar, or no-comparison feedback on depressed and nondepressed subjects' evaluations of the comparison other and on their feelings about themselves were investigated. Because the reduction of uncertainty about one's conception of social reality is a major motive underlying social-comparison processes, we expected that depressed individuals, who are assumed to have experienced heightened uncertainty associated with frequent exposure to uncontrollable life events, would be more motivated to engage in social comparison and would be more sensitive to social-comparison feedback. Results generally were consistent with this reasoning. The implications of the results in terms of the development and maintenance of depression were discussed.

Counterfactual thinking and functional differences in depression

“…The perception of almost total lack of control may result in feelings of hopelessness, in passivity, and in social isolation (Abramson et al, 2002). Nevertheless, at lower levels of depression the generalized concerns about control may result in heightened control motivation (e.g., Weary, Elbin, & Hill, 1987). In terms of CT, as Markman and Weary (1998) have shown, attempts to render the social environment more controllable and predictable yield an enhanced tendency to engage in controllable CT, and individuals experience an increase in the retrospective perception of control.…”

On being sad and mistaken: Mood effects on the accuracy of thin-slice judgments.

“…Depressed people appear more motivated to pay careful attention to all aspects of the social world, and when processing social information they take on a strategy of intentionally searching for information that might render the world more understandable. As Weary and her colleagues have shown, the adoption of this more effortful processing strategy renders depressed individuals more sensitive to a range of social cues and information (HildebrandSaints & Weary, 1989;Marsh & Weary, 1989;Weary et al, 1985Weary et al, , 1987. For instance, they appear more interested in the past behavior and personalities of others and make more abstract trait inferences (Gleicher & Weary, 1991).…”

“…It has previously been noted that depressed people tend to carefully monitor many aspects of the social world (e.g., Hildebrand-Saints & Weary, 1989;Marsh & Weary, 1989;Weary et al, 1985Weary et al, , 1987 and are less efficient in their decoding of nonverbal cues (Cooley & Nowicki, 1989). This heightened vigilance presumably arises from feelings of a chronic lack of control (McCaul, 1983;Weary et al, 1985).…”

The Effects of Different Types of Self–Activation on Social Comparison Orientation

“…Since Festinger, other researchers have been following up on this by identifying a number of situational and dispositional factors related to self-uncertainty that may instigate social comparison processes. For example, periods of change, stress, novelty and competition, as well as personality traits that possess a significant uncertainty component, like neuroticism and depression, have all been found to promote social comparison tendencies (Buunk & Ybema, 1997;Campbell 1990;Gibbons & Buunk, 1999;Weary, Elbin, & Hill, 1987;Wills & Sulls, 1991, but see Flett, Vredenburg, Pliner, & Krames (1987 for an exception).…”