<P> It has also been suggested that upward comparisons may provide an inspiration to improve, and in one study it was found that while breast cancer patients made more downward comparisons, they showed a preference for information about more fortunate others . </P> <P> Another study indicated that people who were dieting often used upward social comparisons by posting pictures of thinner people on their refrigerators . These pictures served as not only a reminder of an individuals current weight, but also as an inspiration of a goal to be reached . In simple terms, downward social comparisons are more likely to make us feel better about ourselves, while upward social comparisons are more likely to motivate us to achieve more or reach higher . </P> <P> Aspinwall and Taylor looked at mood, self - esteem, and threat as moderators that drive individuals to choose to make upward or downward social comparisons . Downward comparisons in cases where individuals had experienced a threat to their self - esteem produced more favorable self - evaluations . </P> <P> Aspinwall and Taylor found that upward social comparisons were good in circumstances where the individuals making the comparisons had high self - esteem, because these types of comparisons provided them with more motivation and hope than downward social comparisons . However, if these individuals had experienced a recent threat or setback to their self - esteem, they reported that upward comparisons resulted in a more negative affect than downward comparisons . </P>

A comparison of dissimilar things used to determine common relationships between them is a(n)