A hybrid paradigm for testing spontaneous trait inferences with fewer experimental trials
Abstract
Popular paradigms for exploring spontaneous trait inference (STI) do not allow for measurement with only a couple of individuals. In these paradigms, STIs are investigated with large numbers of individuals, limiting utility for small group impression formation work. A new paradigm is proposed that is a hybrid of previous methods by employing elements of the savings and false recognition paradigms. Participants were presented with behavioral descriptions of target individuals (which implied a trait) and attempted to associate many trait terms with each before indicating whether a behaviorally implied trait was present in the list of traits. False photo-cued recognition of description-congruent traits that were not in present indicated spontaneous trait inference. This new paradigm allows investigation of STIs in dyadic and triadic settings.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Carlston, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Social psychology
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