Communicating stereotype-relevant information : how readily can people individuate?
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Asian Journal of Social Psychology
Publication Date
12-1-2010
Volume
13
Issue
4
First Page
209
Last Page
220
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
Keywords
communication, distinctiveness, individuation, stereotypicality
Abstract
It is often suggested that people automatically form an impression of a target by using stereotypes. However, people can flexibly deploy different types of individuating processes, depending on the communicative context. We showed that people can individuate targets from their social category by communicating stereotype-inconsistent information (person–group individuation) when they are required to reproduce information about the targets and people can individuate targets from other individuals by communicating information that is distinctive about the targets (person–person individuation) when required to identify the targets. The participants' performance is unrelated to information memorability (Experiment 1) and is not affected by time pressure (Experiment 2). Humans' adaptive capacity for individuation is discussed.
DOI
10.1111/j.1467-839X.2010.01313.x
Print ISSN
13672223
E-ISSN
1467839X
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd with the Asian Association of Social Psychology andthe Japanese Group Dynamics Association
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Accepted Author Manuscript
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Yeung, V. W. L., & Kashima, Y. (2010). Communicating stereotype-relevant information: How readily can people individuate? Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 13(4), 209-220. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-839X.2010.01313.x