This is based on the Self – evaluation theory of Tesser and Smith (1980). The experiment goes one person in for each friend pair specified false feedback - you did poorly! Person who "did poorly" later now will be the one to give clues to acquaintance and to the stranger. Hints differ in practicality/difficulty (so that other's act can be improved or harmed). In low ego-relevant tasks, individuals were more possible to give their friends easier clues as different to high ego-relevant tasks where individuals would give tougher clues to their friend than the stranger.