This handbook investigates the multifaceted phenomenon of social comparison, exploring its theoretical underpinnings and empirical manifestations. It synthesizes decades of research, presenting a comprehensive overview of how individuals evaluate themselves by comparing their abilities, opinions, and outcomes to those of others. The work draws upon a vast body of psychological literature to delineate the conditions under which social comparison occurs, its motivational consequences, and its impact on self-perception and well-being.

This handbook is recognized as a foundational text in social psychology, offering a thorough compilation of research on social comparison. Experts in the field have noted its comprehensive scope and the rigorous synthesis of empirical findings. The volume is considered an essential resource for researchers and students seeking to understand the complexities of self-evaluation and its implications for human behavior and cognition.