In this answer to comments on our target paper we clarify and specify our model of social actions as construed from the actor (agent) vs. observer (recipient) perspective. Specifically, we propose that in the actor perspective agentic content is accessed automatically while communal content is process in a controlled, effortful way. In the observer perspective, communal content is processed automatically while agentic content in a controlled way. We also attempt to clarify several statements of the original model and present new data providing support for this model.
We present a model of social perception based on three assumptions: (1) Most actions may be viewed from divergent perspectives of agent vs. recipient, (2) People perceive themselves and others in a way that maximizes their interests and this is done differently in each of the two perspectives, (3) There are two broad dimensions of content in person perception - agency and communion. These assumptions allowed the formulation of 12 hypotheses on how perspective influences: (a) the concern with agentic vs. communal contents in person perception and attitude formation, (b) relations between perceived interests and agentic vs. communal contents, and (c) relations between using agentic vs. communal contents and behavioral pursuit of various interests. Empirical support for these hypotheses is discussed.
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