Theory of social comparison in clinical psychology
Topicality of studies of social comparisons’ processes in the context of clinical psychology is grounded in the analytical review. Data about the spreading of envy in social nets are presented, thus making it possible to propose a thesis about cultural facilitation of social comparisons. The results of foreign researches on the problem of social comparisons in depressive disorders and distorted body image underlying eating behavior disorders are presented. The hypotheses of personal profile for individuals inclined to frequent and “morbid” comparison are grounded. Advantages of perfectionism and narcissism studies as personal determinants for frequent social comparisons are settled. Prospects for future researches of the problem are emphasized.