Abstract
The False Consensus Effect in Unfavorable (Suicide) and Favorable (Honor) Events
Range L M~~Neyra C J~~Goggin W C
False consensus effect (FCE) states that people view their own characteristics as common; those that are different are deviant. To test the FCE, 135 students assessed their levels of intelligence & psychological disturbance, then read a fictitious newspaper article about a youth who committed suicide or received an honor. Subjects who viewed themselves as intelligent viewed others in the same way, & disturbed subjects viewed others as disturbed. Partial support for the FCE was found. (23 refs.)