Abstract
Anchoring effects in impression formation were studied as a function of distance between anchor and test stimulus, and differentiation of judge. Results uniformly lacked support for a perceptual assimilation-contrast approach to context effects in that contrast was not associated with either greater distance between anchor and test or maximum differentiation of judge. Consistent assimilation, or positive context effects, were supportive of an averaging model analysis of context effects in impression formation.
Article PDF
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
ANDERSON, N. H. Component ratings in impression formation. Psychonomic Science, 1966, 6, 279–280.
ANDERSON, N. H. Likableness ratings of 555 personality-trait words. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 1968, 9, 272–279.
ANDERSON, N. H., & LAMPEL, A. Effect of context on ratings of personality traits. Psychonomic Science, 1965, 3, 433–434.
ATKINS, A. L. Own attitude and discriminability in relation to anchoring effects in judgment. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 1966, 4, 497–507.
ATKINS, A. L., & BIERI, J. Effects of involvement level and contextual stimuli on social judgment. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 1968, 9, 197–204.
ATKINS, A. L., MEYERS, B. A., & KUJALA, K. Anchoring tendencies as cognitive styles. Paper presented at meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Atlantic City, 1965.
BERKOWITZ, L. The judgmental process in personality functioning. Psychological Review, 1960, 67, 130–142.
BLANCHARD, W. A. Assimilation and contrast in interpersonal prediction with control for the interaction of real similarity and differential accuracy. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 1966, 3, 567–573.
CHAPANIS, A. Color names for color space. American Scientist, 1965, 53, 327–346.
HOVLAND, C. I., HARVEY, O., & SHERIF, M. Assimilation and contrast effects in reaction to communications and attitude change. Journal of Abnormal Social Psychology, 1957, 55, 244–252.
KAPLAN, M. F. Differentiation among targets in social perception as a function of response hierarchy. Psychonomic Science, 1968, 10, 227–228.
SHERIF, M., & HOVLAND, C. J. Social judgment. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1961.
UPSHAW, H. S. The personal reference scale: An approach to social judgment. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology. Vol. 4. New York: Academic Press, 1969. Pp. 315–371.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was largely supported by a faculty research grant awarded by the College Council, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Northern Illinois University.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kaplan, M.F. Assimilation-contrast effects in impression formation. Psychon Sci 17, 234–235 (1969). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329190
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329190