The False Uniqueness Effect: How It Influences Your Behavior

In psychology, the false uniqueness effect refers to the cognitive bias in which individuals overestimate their own distinctiveness in comparison to others. Although fairly common, this phenomenon can negatively impact your social and professional life by distorting your self-perception and making it more challenging to connect with others.

Continue reading to learn more about the false uniqueness effect and how it manifests in different Enneagram types.

What Is the False Uniqueness Effect?

The false uniqueness effect is a cognitive bias that distorts people’s self-perception by making them believe that they are more unique than they actually are. In other words, it refers to the tendency to underestimate the extent to which others share the same attributes and experiences.

While the false uniqueness effect has been widely studied in social and personality psychology, the term was first coined by Suls, Wan, and Sanders in their study on false uniqueness and false consensus.

The false consensus effect is the tendency to overestimate the extent to which others share your opinions, values, behaviors, and attitudes. While the false uniqueness effect is most commonly associated with positive attributes, the false consensus effect may also apply to negative attributes.

For instance, a college student who doesn’t drink alcohol might think they’re special because everyone parties hard in college, even when that’s not the case (false uniqueness). Meanwhile, a student who drinks every weekend might believe that most students do the same, thus normalizing their behavior (false consensus).

To clarify the distinction between false uniqueness and false consensus effect, here’s a short comparison table:

Examples of False Uniqueness in Real Life

Understanding how the false uniqueness effect manifests in real life can help you recognize this cognitive bias in yourself and others. Let’s see some real-life examples of the false uniqueness effect across different contexts:

#1. School

Below are some examples of the false uniqueness effect you may encounter in school:

• A student who helps their peers with assignments thinks they’re unusually generous and kind.
• A student who takes school seriously believes that they’re far more hardworking and dedicated than their peers.
• A student who always reads additional materials thinks they’re uniquely curious, ignoring the fact that some others may also read them.

#2. Lifestyle

Here are some real-life lifestyle-related examples of the false uniqueness effect:

• An avid reader believes no one values reading anymore.
• Someone who avoids fast food believes that only they care a lot about nutrition.
• A person who’s good at sports thinks they’re exceptionally athletic or disciplined.

#3. Workplace

Here’s what the false uniqueness bias may look like in the workplace:

• An employee who regularly undergoes training thinks they’re far more committed to continuous growth than their colleagues.
• A coworker with strong problem-solving skills thinks their solutions are rare and unconventional, even when others propose innovative ideas, too.
• An employee who consistently meets deadlines believes that others struggle with punctuality, even when their work is always delivered on time.

#4. Interpersonal Relationships

Below are some examples of the false uniqueness effect in platonic and romantic relationships:

• Someone loyal thinks that other people are incapable of the same level of fidelity.
• A friend thinks that their tendency to remember other people’s birthdays makes them special.
• A person believes that their relationship problems are rare and unique, even when they’re not.

What Causes the False Uniqueness Effect?

Several psychological and cognitive processes can cause the false uniqueness effect, including egocentrism, self-serving bias, self-enhancement, social comparison, and the availability heuristic.

Here’s a more in-depth overview of the main processes that contribute to the false uniqueness effect:

• Egocentrism. Egocentrism refers to the tendency to focus more on our own behaviors, thoughts, and feelings than those of others. When comparing themselves to others, some people tend to focus excessively on themselves, which can lead them to overestimate their uniqueness.
• Self-serving bias. The self-serving bias refers to a distortion in people’s explanation of their own traits and behaviors. Simply put, the false uniqueness effect can emerge when people attribute their positive characteristics to internal factors while attributing the negative ones to external factors, making them feel more special.
• Self-enhancement. The false uniqueness effect can lessen feelings of inferiority or even make you feel superior to others. As such, it can stem from the need to boost your self-esteem or protect yourself and your ego from harm.
• Social comparison. According to the social comparison theory, individuals determine their own worth by comparing themselves to others. Therefore, people may downplay the prevalence of their positive traits in others to make themselves feel better or special.
• Availability heuristic. The availability heuristic is a cognitive shortcut characterized by the tendency to rely on examples that immediately come to mind when evaluating specific situations. In simpler terms, our own actions, experiences, and traits are more memorable to us, so the mere fact that we can recall them more easily and vividly can contribute to the false uniqueness effect.

How the False Uniqueness Effect Shapes Our Behavior

The false uniqueness effect shapes our behavior by positioning us as special and distinct from others, which can impact our self-esteem, decision-making, relationships, and social identity.

Let’s explore the effects of the false uniqueness bias in greater depth:

#1. Self-Esteem

The false uniqueness effect can have both positive and negative impacts on self-esteem. Believing that you possess one-of-a-kind positive traits, such as unwavering discipline or exceptional intelligence, can help you maintain or boost your self-esteem.

However, it’s also not unusual for people to experience a sudden drop in self-esteem once they realize other people also share their traits, meaning they aren’t as special as they initially thought.

#2. Decision-Making

The false uniqueness bias can impact how people approach decision-making, especially in group settings. Those who perceive themselves as unique from others may find it harder to collaborate with those around them, as they may think that no one shares their perspective.

Since the false uniqueness effect boosts self-esteem, it can also lead to arrogance in certain scenarios. This can cause some people to downplay the opinions of others when making decisions.

#3. Relationships

The false uniqueness effect can have a negative impact on friendships and romantic relationships, as it separates people instead of uniting them. Furthermore, people who believe they’re different from others may feel like no one can understand them fully, making it challenging to forge close bonds with others.

This cognitive bias can also impact relationship dynamics by triggering feelings of superiority and inferiority. If one person in the relationship believes they’re more special, unique, or unusual, the other person may feel undervalued and inadequate.

#4. Social Identity and Group Dynamics

The false uniqueness effect may strengthen people’s personal identity but weaken their social identity, affecting their group behavior. At worst, it can completely destroy the sense of belonging, leading to feelings of isolation and disconnection.

People who struggle with this bias may find it challenging to function in group settings, as they tend to focus on what makes them different rather than connecting with those around them. For example, they may highlight their unique contributions to team projects but downplay the efforts of others, which may lead to resentment.

How to Overcome False Uniqueness

To overcome false uniqueness, it’s critical to practice self-reflection, develop empathy, challenge your assumptions, and expose yourself to diverse groups of people.

Here’s how each of these tips can help you overcome the false uniqueness bias:

• Develop empathy. Instead of assuming that you’re different from others, try to develop empathy and put yourself in their shoes. Perspective-taking and open communication can help you understand that you have more in common with others than you might’ve thought.
• Practice self-reflection. Making a conscious effort to reflect on your thoughts and behaviors can help you notice the patterns that trigger the false uniqueness bias in you. If needed, don’t hesitate to ask other people for feedback.
• Challenge your assumptions. Try to challenge your beliefs whenever you catch yourself overestimating your uniqueness. Checking statistics, facts, or simply having an honest conversation with others can help you counter false uniqueness.
• Expose yourself to diverse groups. Meeting people from all walks of life can help you see how different they are while also giving you the chance to find something in common with others.

False Uniqueness Effect and the Enneagram: How Personality Shapes Perception

The false uniqueness effect may manifest differently in individuals depending on their Enneagram type, as each type’s self-perception is shaped by their personality traits, fears, and desires.

Here’s a brief overview of how each Enneagram personality type commonly expresses the false uniqueness effect:

Enneagram 1

The Enneagram Type 1 is characterized by a strong sense of right and wrong and an unwavering dedication to continuous improvement. Ones are prone to believing that their integrity, discipline, and morality are incredibly rare; some may even judge or criticize others for lacking principles or self-control.

Enneagram 2

The Enneagram Type 2 is kind-hearted, accommodating, and self-sacrificing. Twos tend to think that no one can match their empathy, generosity, and care, leading them to underestimate other people’s helpfulness and support.

Enneagram 3

Enneagram Threes are success-oriented, energetic, and image-conscious. The false uniqueness effect in this personality type typically manifests as the assumption that they are far more ambitious than others; they may also believe that their social status makes them exceptional.

Enneagram 4

The Enneagram Type 4 is most susceptible to the false uniqueness effect, as these individuals pride themselves on being different from others. Fours often believe their creativity and emotional depth make them so unique that others could never fully understand them.

Enneagram 5

Enneagram Fives are independent, curious, and insightful. They tend to think that their thirst for knowledge, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities are unmatched, leading them to downplay the intelligence of others.

Enneagram 6

The Enneagram Type 6 is characterized by a desire for security. Sixes are prone to thinking that they’re exceptionally loyal, responsible, and protective, which can make it challenging for them to trust others.

Enneagram 7

The Enneagram 7 is fun-loving, spontaneous, and optimistic. Sevens may believe that they possess a one-of-a-kindadventurous spirit, even though most people enjoy having fun and trying new things.

Enneagram 8

Enneagram Eights are resourceful and confident individuals. They are prone to thinking that they have a unique ability to lead others, which can lead to power struggles both at work and in relationships.

Enneagram 9

The Enneagram Type 9 has a strong desire for peace. The false uniqueness effect in Nines usually looks like a tendency to believe that their calmness, acceptance, and conflict avoidance make them special; they may underestimate other people’s appreciation for harmony.

Key Takeaways

Now that you’ve made it to the end of our guide to the false uniqueness effect, it’s time to reiterate the key points we covered:

• The false uniqueness effect is a cognitive bias that causes people to underestimate the degree to which people share their attributes and behaviors.
• Some causes of this cognitive bias include self-enhancement, social comparison, availability heuristic, and egocentrism.
• You can overcome false uniqueness by cultivating empathy, engaging in self-reflection, challenging your beliefs, and spending time around diverse groups of people.

False Uniqueness Effect FAQ

#1. What is the difference between false uniqueness and narcissism?

The difference between false uniqueness and narcissism is that the former is a cognitive bias that causes people to overestimate their distinctiveness, whereas the latter is a personality trait characterized by extreme self-absorption. Given that some narcissists hate themselves, they may use false uniqueness to boost their self-esteem.

#2. How common is the false uniqueness effect?

The false uniqueness effect is quite common, and anyone can experience it. This cognitive bias often affects people when they compare themselves to others, as it helps them feel better about themselves.

#3. Can false uniqueness affect teamwork?

Yes, false uniqueness can affect teamwork. People who believe their ideas, skills, or contributions are unique may overestimate their importance and undermine that of others, which can impact group dynamics and increase the likelihood of workplace conflict.