Why do some people make you feel confident, while others trigger self-doubt?

In this episode of Just Be, therapist Sophia Spencer unpacks Social Rank Theory and Social Comparison Theory — explaining how your brain subconsciously scans hierarchies for safety and belonging. Discover why modern conditioning amplifies this instinct, how comparison overload affects confidence, and how to shift from ranking yourself to reconnecting with genuine belonging.

Referenced concepts:

• Social Rank Theory — Gilbert, P. (1992, 2000)
• Social Comparison Theory — Festinger, L. (1954)
• Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) — Gilbert, P. (2009)