Overlap between trait representation of self and other in relational contexts: A replication study of Ishii (2009)

Abstract

Using two consecutive trait judgments on the same trait word for self and other within a relational context, Ishii (2009) found slower responses for initial judgments about the other (e.g., a “friend”) when they were inconsistent with the second judgments about the self (e.g., a “self-with-friend”). This finding suggests that the overlapping representation of self and other (Aron, Aron, Tudor, & Nelson, 1991) could also be true of the relational aspect of the self. However, similar slow responses were observed between trait judgments about the other and the self in an irrelevant relational context (e.g., “father” and “self-with-friend”). The current report presents a replication of Ishii’s findings in Study 1. Study 2 uses stimulus persons within the same category (i.e., “father” and “mother” as parents), and finds slower responses among every combination of trait judgment about the self and the other, suggesting a preference for categorical over person-wise judgments. The distinctiveness of interpersonal relationships and a possible differentiation of self-representation, exerted by different relational contexts, are discussed.