Being and feeling unique: statistical deviance and psychological marginality

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Sociology
• Psychology

Background:

• Cultural stigma impacts individuals with concealable conditions.
• Perceptions of uniqueness can be influenced by social standing and condition visibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test if individuals with culturally stigmatized and concealable conditions feel more unique than those with valued or conspicuous conditions.
• To investigate the psychological reality of marginality for individuals with "master status" conditions.

Main Methods:

• Two studies were conducted comparing groups with stigmatized/concealable conditions (e.g., gays, epileptics) versus valued/conspicuous conditions (e.g., attractive, gifted).
• Study 1 assessed perceived consensus between personal preferences and others.
• Study 2 measured self-perceived uniqueness and decision-making speed for self-relevant choices.

Main Results:

• Culturally stigmatized individuals with concealable conditions reported the least perceived consensus with others.
• These individuals were most likely to describe themselves as unique.
• Self-relevant decisions were made more quickly by those with stigmatized and concealable conditions.

Conclusions:

• Marginality is a significant psychological experience for individuals with stigmatized and concealable "master status" conditions.
• Feeling unique and experiencing a lack of social consensus are key aspects of this marginality.