Too much focus on individual differences can lead to inefficient learning and inequality. Students have unique strengths and needs. However, an overemphasis on individuality can result in fragmented lessons where common goals are lost. This is the “Uniqueness Illusion.” Effective education finds a balance between personalisation and shared learning experiences. Example: A teacher creates fully individual lesson plans for each student. Despite good intentions, the result is fragmentation, less collaboration, and difficulty keeping oversight — for both teacher and students.
Kelley, H. H. (1972). Attribution, dissonance, and the illusion of uniqueness. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 8(5), 434–448.
Ross, L., Greene, D., & House, P. (1977). The “false consensus effect”: An egocentric bias in social perception and attribution processes. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 13(3), 279–301.
Goethals, G. R., Messick, D. M., & Allison, S. T. (1991). The uniqueness bias: Studies on the perception of self and others. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 27(3), 197–220.