Impressions of actors, targets, and relationships: Effects on judgment and memory
Abstract
Though much social cognition research has focused on impressions of others as actors, perceivers may also form impressions of others as targets and of the relationships between others. Five studies focused on the extent to which perceivers can and do form these various types of impressions, the accuracy of their impressions, and the effects their impressions have on judgment and memory. Studies 1 and 2, which employed survey techniques, revealed that perceivers notice actor, target, and relationship effects among their peers, although perceived effects vary for different interpersonal variables. Studies 3, 4, and 5, which involved the presentation of descriptions of the behaviors of four fictitious women, revealed that perceivers are quite adept at recognizing actor, target, and relationship effects, and that these effects, alone or interacting, influence judgment and memory. These results and the concept of cognitive sociometry are discussed.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Smith, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Social psychology
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