Douglas, Karen, Sutton, Robbie M. (2010) By their words ye shall know them: Language abstraction and the likeability of describers. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40 (2). pp. 366-374. ISSN 0046-2772. (doi:10.1002/ejsp.634) (KAR id:23897)
This is the latest version of this item.
PDF
Language: English |
|
Download this file (PDF/142kB) |
Preview |
Request a format suitable for use with assistive technology e.g. a screenreader | |
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.634 |
Abstract
According to the linguistic category model (LCM), behaviour can be described at concrete (e.g. ‘Kath hit Kim’) and abstract (e.g. ‘Kath is aggressive’) levels. Variations in these levels convey information about the person being described and the relationship between that person and the describer. In the current research, we examined the power of language abstraction to create impressions of describers themselves. Results show that describers are seen as less likeable when they use abstract (vs. concrete) language to describe the negative actions of others. Conversely, impressions of describers are more favourable when they opt for abstract descriptions of others' positive behaviours. This effect is partially mediated by the attribution of a communicative agenda to describers. By virtue of these attributional implications, language abstraction is an impression formation device that can impact on the reputation of describers.
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
DOI/Identification number: | 10.1002/ejsp.634 |
Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology |
Divisions: | Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology |
Depositing User: | Karen Douglas |
Date Deposited: | 22 Mar 2010 10:58 UTC |
Last Modified: | 05 Nov 2024 10:03 UTC |
Resource URI: | https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/23897 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes) |
Available versions of this item
- By their words ye shall know them: Language abstraction and the likeability of describers. (deposited 22 Mar 2010 10:58) [Currently Displayed]
- Link to SensusAccess
- Export to:
- RefWorks
- EPrints3 XML
- BibTeX
- CSV
- Depositors only (login required):