Preference for Other Persons’ Traits Is Dependent on the Kind of Social Relationship

Abstract

Three studies test the proposition that people appreciate others’ traits relative to the kind of relationship they have. Hypotheses are derived from the dual-perspective model, according to which the fundamental content dimensions of traits, agency, and communion are linked differently to the perspectives of actor versus observer; and that the kind of relationship between both persons is a moderator of the perspective-trait link. Study 1 shows that people generally prefer communal traits in others, and that agency traits are chosen less frequently in independence relationships than in unilateral dependence relationships than in mutual dependence relationships. Study 2 replicates the communion finding and reveals that – independent of respondents’ own agency and communion – agency traits are chosen less frequently in communal relationships than in exchange relationships. Study 3 shows that in both kinds of relationship well-being goals enhance the selection of communion traits, whereas mastery goals enhance the selection of agency traits.