What does the term "social comparison" refer to in middle childhood?

The term "social comparison" refers to the process of evaluating one's abilities in relation to peers, which is especially significant during middle childhood. At this developmental stage, children become increasingly aware of their social environment and are motivated to compare themselves with others to form their self-concept and assess their own skills and competencies. This can influence their self-esteem, aspirations, and overall social development.

During middle childhood, children often look to their peers for benchmarks, whether it be in academics, sports, or social interactions. By engaging in this process, they gain insights into their strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, these comparisons can have both positive and negative implications on a child's self-perception and motivation.

In contrast to this concept, independent learning experiences focus more on a child’s individual pursuits without the influence of peer comparison. Comparing academic performance only is a narrower view that fails to encompass the broader range of abilities and attributes that social comparison entails. Meanwhile, the absence of competition among friends would negate a fundamental aspect of social comparison, which fundamentally thrives in competitive contexts where children seek to measure themselves against one another.