A new psychology study suggests that feeling disadvantaged compared with peers can shape how people see their relationships. Instead of viewing others through trust, care, or mutual connection, people who feel left behind may become more likely to treat interactions as exchanges focused on personal benefit.
The research points to a psychological link between relative deprivation — the sense that others are doing better than you — and a more instrumental view of other people. In that mindset, relationships may start to look less like bonds between individuals and more like opportunities to gain status, support, or other advantages.
According to the study summary, this effect is not only about lower self-esteem. The findings indicate that perceived disadvantage within a social hierarchy may also influence interpersonal behavior, pushing some people toward a more transactional approach in everyday social life.
The study adds to broader psychology research on how social comparison affects behavior. It suggests that when people believe they are falling behind, that feeling can extend beyond mood and self-image, influencing how they judge, value, and use their connections with others.
