# When comparison motivates, and when it hurts

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/when-comparison-motivates-and-when-it-hurts/

> Indexed question in Culture.

## Reading

In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted May 1 to 4, 2026, 36% of Americans said comparing themselves to people doing better leaves them inspired, happy, or confident afterward.

A similar 33% said that same upward comparison leaves them disappointed, anxious, or frustrated. Smaller shares described reactions to comparing themselves with people doing worse.

## Topline

When comparing yourself to others, which of the following happens for you most often? Some of the response options seem similar, but that is on purpose. Please read carefully.

36% said upward comparison leaves them inspired, happy, or confident.

- I compare myself to people doing better than me, and I feel inspired, happy, or confident afterward.: 36.0%
- I compare myself to people doing better than me, and I feel disappointed, anxious, or frustrated afterward.: 33.4%
- I compare myself to people doing worse than me, and I feel relieved, satisfied, or confident afterward.: 22.6%
- I compare myself to people doing worse than me, and I feel discouraged, anxious, or frustrated afterward.: 8.0%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-05-01 → 2026-05-04
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.3%
- Module: 2
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026#q-B.18](https://reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026#q-B.18)

## Citation

SBM Omnibus Survey #2026-049, fielded May 1-4, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026#q-B.18](https://reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026#q-B.18)