Abstract This paper analyzes the social comparison theory in four sections, first by exploring a journal article that explored the theory in the United States and China. The paper also analyzes a mass media example in the context of social comparison. A personal example is then provided within an academic setting to see how the real life-scenario works. Finally, the theory was examined in an ethical context.
Outline:
Abstract
Social Comparison, Individualism-Collectivism, and Self-Esteem in China and the United States by Chung and Mallery
Mass Media Example of the Social Comparison Theory
Personal Example of Social Comparison Theory
Social Comparison Theory and Ethics
From the Paper "Chung and Mallery (1999) "examined the possible differences in social comparison between individualistic and collectivistic cultures" using the United States and China for the sample (para. 1). Chung and Mallery predicted that based on past research, collectivistic cultures, where individuals focused on achievements that would be beneficial to a collective group rather than themselves, would be positively correlated with upward social comparison, while the contrary would be true for individualistic cultures. In essence the a priori expectation is that "upward comparisons were positively correlated with individual self-esteem, and downward comparisons were negatively correlated with collective self-esteem" (Chung & Mallery, 1999, para 14)."
Abstract This paper introduces, discussees, and analyzes Plutarch's "Comparison of Pompey with Agesilaus". Specifically, the paper considers the historical significance of the document about the time, place, and environment in which it was created. The paper explains that the comparison of Pompey and Agesilaus is valuable for the insight it gives into both men, including their motivation, personalities, strengths, and weaknesses.
From the Paper "A quick reading of the document offers several historical points, including information on the culture, religious beliefs, and social customs of the times. First, the author refers to a "false gloss on the oracle" in relation to Agesilaus and his reign. This indicates the importance of oracles and sooth-sayers during the time. In fact, civilizations relied on oracles for much of their decision-making, including laws and military actions. Indeed, Plutarch himself served Apollo at the Oracle at Delphi. Thus, oracles were extremely important in the environment of the time."
Abstract This essay compares and contrasts the behaviors and actions of Hamlet and Othello. In particular, the two characters' handling of love, grief and revenge are examined.
From the Paper "Chance, coincidence, and circumstance influence the actions one takes when dealing with highly emotional situations. Everyone has their own way of dealing with these emotional situations, but the actions one chooses to carry out portray an image of the character they have become. In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, and Othello, Hamlet and Othello, respectively, are similar in ways of handling their emotional states, but are very unalike in some aspects also. Hamlet and Othello's handling of love, grief, and revenge can be compared and contrasted in their respective plays. The love of their women, the grief of their losses, and the revenge that consumed them, have different, yet similar approaches by Hamlet and Othello."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the legendary story of the hero Aeneas who survives the fall of Troy and follows the will of the gods and fate to build a nation that will eventually become Rome. The paper includes an analysis of "The Aeneid", written in Homeric style and gives a comparison of Aeneas's character with Greek heroes, Odysseus and Achilles.
From the Paper "The son of Anchises and Venus, a prince of Troy and leader of the expedition to Italy, Aeneas is the main character in the book "The Aeneid". The most admired and valued characteristics in Augustan Rome are marked on his personality. He is true to his word devout, a courageous and skillful soldier and a pious. The heroism of Aeneas is his ability, to place his belief in Rome in all times and the Roman ideal before his own selfish interests, which was unlike Achilles and Odysseus."
Abstract The writer of this paper speculates as to the causes of these two regimes, and effects some sort of a comparison as to their respective causes. The paper thoroughly examines the causes of these regimes and compares the respective regimes of these two dictators. By doing so it illuminates some of the historical circumstances that produced these regimes and shows what can be used to prevent the horrors perpetrated by these men from happening again.
From the Paper "Thus the reasons for the development of dictatorial regimes in Germany and Russian, though parallel in the level of fear of foreign invasion and of economic turmoil are similar, they are not synonymous. Germany's Nazi regime was rooted more in a psychological rather than an economic reality, the lack of a democratic tradition, rather than of an industrial tradition. The causes may have been different, though the toll of human life was still great."
Abstract By examining specific poems by Frost and Wordsworth the author of this paper is able to draw comparisons between their two styles and note on differences and similarities. The author notes, for example, that both Frost and Wordsworth maintain the idea that poetry should be written in the natural language, rather than elaborating to make the poems perplexing. Poems analyzed are "The World is too Much with Us" and "The Road not Taken".
From the Paper "It is known that Frost will second-guess himself somewhere down the line. Frost imagines himself in the future, discussing his life with others. When "sigh" is written, he admits that he will not say that he took the road less traveled by and that has made all the difference. Instead he will say that there is no right path, just the chosen path. Their differences with their imagination consists of Frost looking to the future wondering what he would say about the path he took, Wordsworth wants to go back in the past."
Tags: Romantic, early, nineteenth, century, Christian, England
Abstract The paper uses the biographies of Plutarch to draw a comparison between the lives of Caesar's early ally and later enemy, Pompey, and that of the military tactician and politician, Sulla. The paper reflects on the Roman Republic: its ideology, values and its moral implications for today.
From the Paper "Plutarch often called the ancient father of modern biography. Through biographies of famous individuals he was able to reveal much of the character of great men and also much about of the political values of the times during which his subjects lived. His life of Caesar's early ally and later enemy Pompey is instructive to compare with that of the military tactician and politician Sylla (also known as Sulla). Comparisons of different lives were one of the biographical techniques Plutarch made frequent use of. He did not do so with these particular individuals. However, a comparison of the lives of these two Romans, as rendered by Plutarch, is still instructive because of the contemporary historical existences of these two very different individuals. The Roman Republic was undergoing considerable political flux during this time, but through this analysis the continuing stress upon moral values even during these times becomes evident."
Tags:comparison, contrast, Roman, Republic, ideology, values, morality, politician, analysis, military
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts a speech by Frederick Douglass and an article by George Orwell. These pieces of writing are presented through a point-by-point comparison and the author gives the reader a chance to see the likenesses and similarities in both ideas and writing styles.
From the Paper "Throughout the years, historians and authors alike have used their skills to persuade the audience of certain truths as they see them. If we look back in history, we will find that different people often produced similar schools of thought at different times for different reasons. One of the most classic examples of this occurrence would be the Freedman Speech, by Frederick Douglass and the Reflections on Gandhi, by George Orwell. Each of these works reflect similar styles of writing, as well as similar points of admiration as well as critical thought toward the hero in question. While Douglass and Orwell discuss heroes of their time, in President Lincoln and Gandhi, they also use the works to point out some of the fallible qualities of each man. When one holds the works side-by-side, one will see that each man admired the person he spoke of but took care to uncover their humanistic qualities as well. The comparison of the two works illustrates the fact that great leaders combine heart and head when driving society to make positive changes."
Abstract Of the four theories of the mass media made famous by Siebert et. al., this essay will focus on two, namely the Authoritarian Theory and the Libertarian Theory. Based on an analysis of the 'Proposed Equation' between ideology as such and the Theories of the Mass Media, this essay delves into a comparison of these two theories.
Abstract This paper presents a comparison of Henry Davidson Thoreau and Gandhi philosophy. The author takes us on a trip through Thoreau's essay about "Civil Disobedience" and some of the Gandhi philosophy to illustrate the differences and similarities in the two men.
Abstract Comparisons of the main characters' coaching styles, analysis of each films' big game, introductions of the key players and reviews of the outside pressures for each team are conducted. Plot overviews and professional reviews are also included.
Abstract This paper examines the content of two radio stations in Toronto, Ontario. Analysis and comparison includes the type of music, radio hosts, language, advertising, target audience and its general image. Suggestions for increasing their audience are also included.
Abstract This paper is a comparison between the two novels "Life and Times of Michael K" and "Robinson Crusoe". It includes a discussion of the relationship between these two novels, focusing on how Coetzee uses references to Defoe's novel to create the meaning of his own text. It also tries to answer the whys and so-whats raised by the text.
A comparison Shakespeare's "Hamlet", Michael Almereyda's film adaptation of Shakespeare's text, and Tom Stoppard's work, "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead."
Abstract This paper compares the way three writers use adaptations of earlier texts to write their own versions of "Hamlet." The paper includes a comparison of Shakespeare's original "Hamlet", since he also based his version upon earlier Danish historical texts and stories written about Hamlet.
From the Paper "Shakespeare's Hamlet, Michael Almereyda's film adaptation of Shakespeare's text, and Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, which uses both characters and scenes from Shakespeare's play to create a new work, all offer radically different variations on the theme of Hamlet. While Almereyda edits Shakespeare's Hamlet down and changes its context and the medium of presentation in order to give the 400 year-old work a new millennial resonance, Stoppard almost uses Shakespeare's Hamlet as a sort of leitmotif in quilting a new mosaic work. Stoppard uses the familiar characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and the pieces of the play in which those characters appear, but the rest of his work is clearly informed by a twentieth century sensibility?his work is as influenced by Beckett's Waiting for Godot as it is by Elizabethan drama. These two adaptations are created through a conscious decision to place the new text in dialogue with Shakespeare's "master" text, which is the culturally dominant form of Hamlet. These other versions seek, however, to explore the very possibilities left unexplored by the master text, or else to explore the gaps and spaces that the master text has left open for creative contemplation in its devotion to the single path of narrative that Shakespeare chose."
Tags: play-within-a-play, older, master, narrative, england, ghost, father, claudius
