Why do we always compare ourselves with other people?

Answer 1

We compare "up," meaning looking for someone better than we are in our own eyes, so we have a hero, or roll model. We compare "down," because we need the contrast to how bad we could be.
I think we should always compare up. Comparing down is usually an excuse not to do better. Comparing up is a way to keep our goals high.

Answer 2

I find it interesting all of the answers only seem to think the question was how be better than others, the question was why do we compare, not how we measure up in comparison to others. In the way most of the responses were more about how much better we want to be than others says allot about how we seem to be born with a natural desire to be leaders of the social pack, which in turn would make comparisons to one another an instinct to lead or be as far up in social status as you can attain. Basically survival of the fittest is still our assurance of survival.

Answer 3

I compare myself with other people because it makes me feel less alone and it makes me feel normal because if the same thing happened to someone else then it's not so bad. I also compare myself to others because I'm worried about what people think of me, and i want to be normal like everyone else.

Answer 4

It is called the grass is always greener effect we are our own worse judge and it isn't a bad thing as it helps us push ourselves. as good as that is it does have a bad effect that we feel like we are never good enough. If we find the way to not feel our self worth is low we could use this tool to gain greatness.

Answer 5

Would you compare yourself to a being that is the least similar or most similar in appearance,physical and mental abilities inorder to make a fair comparison ?
Men compare themselves to men. Women to women. Boxers to other boxers, surgeons to surgeons,pilots to pilots.artists to artists etc.
Comparing ourselves is the only way to measure our abilities
& progress. Would it be more meaningfull to compare oneself to a butterfly or a fish ?

Answer 6

As competitive beings, we always compare ourselves to others. Our goal is to be richer, thinner, cooler, funnier than the next guy. It is human nature.

Answer 7

Who else can we compare ourselves to?

Answer 8

I think we do this less and less as we mature. As a child, and young adult we do this to check to see if we are "ok". As we get older we learn (hopefully) to trust in ourselves and don't need to use others as a sort of tapemeasure.

Answer 9

Because it's completely natural to try to figure out "where you stand" by comparing different aspects of your situation with those of your peers.

Answer 10

i'm a fortuitously married woman and the 2d spouse of a loving husband. women human beings by ability of nature are greater vulnerable to arrogance and you even say you evaluate your self on your fella's ex because of the fact i think which you think of he's dropping pastime in you. maximum first rate husbands or male companions i think silently evaluate as women human beings do. We evaluate ourselves in many cases because of the phobia that he loves his ex greater yet teach him you're greater advantageous than his ex.