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The dynamics of category conjunctions
Hutter, R.R.C. Crisp, R.J. Humphreys, G.W. Waters, Gillian M. Moffitt, G.
Hutter, R.R.C.
Crisp, R.J.
Humphreys, G.W.
Waters, Gillian M.
Moffitt, G.
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2009
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Abstract
In three experiments we investigated the dynamics of impression formation when perceivers
encounter unsurprising (e.g. male mechanic) versus surprising (e.g. female mechanic) social
category conjunctions. In Experiment 1, participants took longer to form an impression of
targets described using a surprising versus an unsurprising conjunction of categorizations. In
Experiment 2, we investigated the stages during which impressions of category conjunctions
are formed. While unsurprising category combinations were characterized with reference
to ‘constituent’ stereotypic traits, surprising combinations were characterized initially by
stereotypic traits but later by ‘emergent’ impressions. In Experiment 3, we investigated
motivational states that drive the dynamics of category conjunction. We found that higher
Personal Need for Structure (PNS) predicted the use of more emergent and fewer constituent
attributes in the impressions formed of surprising combinations. Across all three experiments,
more ‘causal attributes’ were used in descriptions of the surprising combination. We discuss the implications of these findings for developing a model of the dynamics and composition of social category conjunctions.
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Hutter RRC, Crisp RJ, Humphreys GW, Waters GM and Moffitt G (2009) The dynamics of category conjunctions. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations.12(5): 673–686.
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