Smarter and Slower : Self-Other Merging and Stereotype Judgment/Behavior Dissociation Following Perspective-Taking

Although research has demonstrated that perspective-taking results in the application of one's self-concept to the target and target group, the reverse - application of other-concept to the self - has yet to be demonstrated. In a sequence of four experiments, we demonstrated that perspective-taking results in self-other merging, with individuals taking on traits and behavior stereotypical of the target. Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrate that taking the perspective of a target resulted in participants describing themselves in positive and negative terms stereotypical of the target's group. Experiment 3 showed that behavior is also influenced by perspective-taking: Taking the perspective of a professor led to improved performance on an analytic task. Finally, Experiment 4 explored the dissociation between judgments and behaviors following perspective-taking: Taking the perspective of an elderly target led to less stereotypical judgments (dependence), but to increased stereotypical behavior (walking more slowly). In explaining these findings, we discuss perspective-taking as a mechanism for coordinating social behavior