Systematic Methodology for Studying the Influence of the Perceptual Situation on the Subjective Assessment and Verbalization of Individual Psychological Characteristics of a Person

Abstract

<p>The relevance of the study is due to the need to study the patterns of interpersonal perception using qualitative-quantitative methodology and in environmentally valid situations of human life. Three videos of interpersonal interaction were used as stimulus material. The study involved 22 people, randomly divided into two groups, one of which was presented with three stimulus videos with the participation of a sitter, and the other with the participation of a sitter. The task of the study participants was to evaluate the personal characteristics of the sitter on 21 scales of the &ldquo;Personality Differential&rdquo; method, as well as on the scale &ldquo;does not inspire confidence&rdquo;, and then provide written explanations of the ratings made on each of the scales. An inductive content analysis of verbalizations containing explanations of subjective assessments was carried out, and an empirical classification of categories of verbal units characterizing various aspects of the object of perception was constructed. As a result of the study, it was shown that perceptual situations related to different spheres of life significantly influenced the subjective assessment by observers of some personal characteristics of the person included in these situations (object of perception), as well as the ratio of categories of verbal explanations of subjective assessments. The results of the study contribute to the understanding of the processes of social perception and, in particular, the processes of perception and description by an observer of the personal characteristics of another person in different life situations of interpersonal interaction.</p>