Implicit personality theory
An implicit personality theory (IPT) is a scheme that people unconsciously assume when dealing with other people when assessing them .
Analogous to scientific personality theories, this includes the following elements:
- Which observable characteristics and behaviors are relevant (e.g. gender, age, skin color, manners, education, regional origin, zodiac signs, etc.)?
- What conclusions can be drawn from these observations (introverted / extroverted, honest / dishonest, aggressive / gentle, ...)?
- How are the results obtained in this way evaluated (personable, competent, trustworthy, ...)?
Everyone develops individually specific IPT in the course of their socialization. The topic is examined in psychology in the field of personality and differential psychology as well as social psychology (here: "Social Cognition") and educational psychology (Dweck).
Like stereotypical judgments, IPT have a relieving function in social behavior. They serve as an orientation aid and create a frame of reference for behavior towards other (especially strangers) people. Thus, for example, the “ first impression ” in interpersonal perception (social perception) has a massive relief function: When meeting strangers, there is a social tension that can be reduced by - based on observable features such as clothing, cleanliness, polite behavior, orderly Appearance - inferring additional features that are not observable, e.g. B. honesty, intelligence, ... (→ halo effect as a tendency to falsify people's perception). Due to the perseverance effect, these first impressions have a lasting effect on the observer.
Implicit personality theories are based on experiences and the resulting expectations; so they are not completely arbitrary, but a result of learning through experience. As a rule, or for the most part, they work unconsciously ; reflecting on these criteria is subject to the same restrictions as any self-reflection . Herein lies the danger: The perception of the personality of a (stranger) person can be strongly influenced by such tacit assumptions and lead to conclusions that would not be given on the basis of other IPTs ( assessment errors ). In particular, there is the risk of discrimination against other people through prejudice and the possibility of a “self-fulfilling prophecy” .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Definition from Georg Gittler: Personality and Differential Psychology , 1st edition: G. Gittler & EMAdlmann, 2011. Lecture notes for the lecture on Personality and Differential Psychology at the University of Vienna, p. 130