Temporal differences in trait self-ascription: when the self is seen as an other.
Seven studies exploring people's tendency to make observer-like attributions about their past and future selves are presented. Studies 1 and 2 showed temporal differences in trait assessments that paralleled the classic actor-observer difference. Study 3 provided evidence against a motivational account of these differences. Studies 4-7 explored underlying mechanisms involving differences in the focus of attention of the sort linked to the classic actor-observer difference. In Study 4, people perceived past and future selves from a more observer-like perspective than present selves. In Studies 5 and 6, manipulating attention to internal states (vs. observable behavior) of past and future selves led people to ascribe fewer traits to those selves. Study 7 showed an inverse relationship for past and present selves between observer-like visual focus and salience of internal information.
Department of Psychology, Princeton University, NJ 08544, USA. epronin@princeton.edu
Emily
E
Pronin
Lee
L
Ross
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010553:Personality Development; D012649:Self Concept; D012718:Set, Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors