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The dynamics of category conjunctions

Hutter, Russell R.C., Crisp, Richard J., Humphreys, Glyn W., Waters, Gilliam M., Moffitt, Graham (2009) The dynamics of category conjunctions. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 12 (5). pp. 673-686. ISSN 1368-4302. (doi:10.1177/1368430209337471) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:23638)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1368430209337471

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.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1177/1368430209337471
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Rosalind Beeching
Date Deposited: 29 Jun 2011 13:20 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:02 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/23638 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Crisp, Richard J..

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