The Use of Abstract Trait Knowledge and Behavioral Exemplars in Causal Explanations of Behavior

Abstract

Both classic and contemporary models of causal reasoning suggest that we retrieve examples of an actor's past behavior from memory when explaining his or her current behavior. A variety of other research suggests that we rely on abstract trait knowledge rather than on behavioral exemplars when making such judgments. The authors conducted three experiments that examined which type of information (abstract trait knowledge or behavioral exemplars) was spontaneously used during causal reasoning when both types of information were available. Results indicated that although abstract trait knowledge generally served as the basis for causal judgments, behavioral exemplars were used if they were easily accessible and participants were motivated to engage in effortful processing. The authors discuss how the use of abstract traits versus behavioral exemplars may serve to maintain or alter existing person impressions.