Construing action abstractly and blurring social distinctions
Implications for perceiving homogeneity among, but also empathizing with and helping, others
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6206063 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sheri R Levy (0000-0002-7056-179X, State University of New York), Antonio L Freitas (Stony Brook University), Peter Salovey (Yale University) |
| Year | 2002 |
| Volume | 83 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 1224-1238 |
| Publication date | 2002-11-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-3514 • E-ISSN: 1939-1315 |
| Publisher | American Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1037//0022-3514.83.5.1224 |
| PMID | 12416924 |
| OpenAlex | W2098684685 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 75 |
| References cited | 69 |
Most people's actions serve goals that, defined abstractly enough, are quite similar to one another. The authors thus proposed, and found, that construing action in abstract (vs. concrete) terms relates to perceiving greater similarity among persons both within and across different social groups (Studies 1-3). By fostering perspective taking, viewing action abstractly also related to empathizing with and expressing willingness to help nonstigmatized and stigmatized others (e.g., AIDS patients; Studies 3-5) and to donating money to help those in need (Study 6). These findings held when controlling for ideological, motivational, and broad personality variables. Abstract action construals, then, appear to blur social distinctions, fostering perspective taking and empathy on the one hand but also perceptions of group homogeneity on the other.
Action (physics · Cognitive psychology · Construal level theory · Construals · Empathic concern · Empathy · Helping behavior · Ideology · Perception · Perspective (graphical · Perspective-taking · Social perception · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Community Health and Development · Cultural Differences and Values · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology
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| Unique citing works | 44 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3,26 |
| Citation span | 2003 - 2026 (24) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 64 |