Uncertainty orientation, the self, and others: Individual differences in values and social comparison.

97 undergraduates completed materials from which uncertainty orientation was assessed. Several months later, 60 of the Ss were asked to complete an abbreviated version of G. W. Allport and P. E. Vernon's (1931) values survey. Subsequently, they were shown their scores and permitted to view as many comparison scores as they wished. Uncertainty-oriented Ss (UCOSs) viewed more comparison scores than did certainty-oriented Ss (COSs). This occurred regardless of whether they believed that the scores came from a similar (student) or dissimilar (community) sample or of how important the specific value was to them. UCOSs also scored higher than COSs in theoretical and aesthetic values on the values survey, reflecting an interest in trying to understand one's world. COSs scored higher in religious values. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)