title: Implicit Self-Importance in an Interpersonal Pronoun Categorization Task.
abstract: Object relations theories emphasize the manner in which the salience/importance of implicit representations of self and other guide interpersonal functioning. Two studies and a pilot test (totalN= 304) sought to model such representations. In dyadic contexts, the self is a "you" and the other is a "me", as verified in a pilot test. Study 1 then used a simple categorization task and found evidence for implicit self-importance: The pronoun "you" was categorized more quickly and accurately when presented in a larger font size, whereas the pronoun "me" was categorized more quickly and accurately when presented in a smaller font size. Study 2 showed that this pattern possesses value in understanding individual differences in interpersonal functioning. As predicted, arrogant people scored higher in implicit self-importance in the paradigm. Findings are discussed from the perspective of dyadic interpersonal dynamics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102.
authors.forename: Adam K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Fetterman
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102.
authors.forename: Elizabeth P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Gilbertson
keywords: Implicit; Interpersonal; Metaphor; Object Relations; Other; Self; Size