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Corollaries of Uniqueness Theory: The Nature of the Comparison Other Persons

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Uniqueness

Part of the book series: Perspectives in Social Psychology ((PSPS))

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Abstract

Given the initial body of information described in the previous chapter, the reader may be more convinced that there is some support for the “pursuit of uniqueness.” However, there are further refinements of the theory that need to be considered at this juncture. In the experiments mentioned in the previous chapter, the reader should note that the research participants were given similarity feedback relative to some other stranger or strangers. In each case, however, the research participants were given a minimal amount of information other than similarity about the “other person(s).” Suppose that you are given additional value-laden information about another person? Maybe you are told that a person is an “ex-con,” insane, or brilliant. Perhaps the “other” person is a member of a group that you hold in esteem, such as your sorority, fraternity, lodge, club, or organization. Maybe the “other” person is a member of some other organization or group that you do not like. What predictions does the uniqueness model make about your emotional behavioral reactions under these circumstances? The present chapter addresses these questions.

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© 1980 Plenum Press, New York

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Snyder, C.R., Fromkin, H.L. (1980). Corollaries of Uniqueness Theory: The Nature of the Comparison Other Persons. In: Uniqueness. Perspectives in Social Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3659-4_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3659-4_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-3661-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-3659-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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