Inferring interpersonal traits from behavior: act prototypicality versus conceptual similarity of trait concepts

Riemann R, Angleitner A. Inferring interpersonal traits from behavior: act prototypicality versus conceptual similarity of trait concepts. Journal of personality and social psychology. 1993;64(3):356-364.This article investigates 2 models of the cognitive process underlying trait ratings: The trait-to-trait process states that trait inferences are guided by the conceptual similarity among traits. We presented Ss with 6 fictitious persons. Each was discribed by acts referring to 1 of 6 traits. Ss rated the targets on interpersonal trait terms. If trait ratings are gathered immediately after the presentation of behavioral information about a single target (Study I) this ratings correspond closely to the prototypicality ratings of the acts of the trait concepts (behaviour-to-trait process). However, if Ss have to keep the behavioral information about several targets in memory (Study 2), the trait ratings are guided by the conceptual relations among the concepts under-study (trait-to-trait process)