The effects of need for uniqueness and uniqueness relevant feedback on mood, recall and perceptions of peers and the self

According to the Uniqueness theory, individuals characteristically desire to perceive themselves as moderately different from others. The effects of need for uniqueness and uniqueness relevant feedback on mood, recall, and perceptions of peers and the self were examined in 60 college students who participated in a two-part study. In part one of the study, subjects attempted to memorize 52 trait terms, completed a 30-item attitude survey, indicated how similar they felt their attitudes were to those of the average college student, and recalled as many of the 52 trait terms as possible. Subjects also indicated the extent to which each of the 52 traits applied to them personally and to the average college student, and completed the Need for Uniqueness Scale (NUS). At session two, subjects attempted to memorize the 52 traits plus an additional 16 traits and considered the attitude survey completed in the first session. The survey now contained uniqueness relevant feedback on subjects\u27 responses. Subjects then recalled and rated traits as in session one. NUS scores were used to classify subjects as high or low in need for uniqueness. The findings partially support the prediction that uniqueness-relevant feedback induces a negative affective state in recipients. The prediction that uniqueness-relevant feedback is more likely to cause modification in attributions of peers rather than in self-attributions also received some support. Further evidence that the NUS is valid was generated by the investigation