ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R
主办:中国科学院心理研究所
出版:科学出版社

›› 2003, Vol. 11 ›› Issue (2): 153-159.

Previous Articles     Next Articles

A Review on the Research in the dimension of Entity Theory versus Incremental Theory of Implicit Personality Theories

Wang Moyun,Fu Xiaolan   

  1. Institute of Psychology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100101
  • Received:2002-02-25 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:2003-03-15 Published:2003-03-15
  • Contact: Fu Xiaolan

Abstract: The Research in the dimension of entity theory versus incremental theory of implicit personality theories is a new trend in social cognition. It’s found that people's implicit personality theories about human attributes structure the way they understand and react to human behavior. Different implicit personality theories cause different social cognitive patterns and different reactions. Research is reviewed showing that entity theorists believe that attributes are fixed, therefore they tend to understand behavior in terms of these abstract and static internal traits. In contrast, incremental theorists believe that attributes are more dynamic, therefore they tend to understand behavior in terms of more specific behavioral or psychological mediators. On the base of the review on relevant research, the authors give some new viewpoints.

Key words: Implicit Personality Theories, entity theory, incremental theory, mental model

CLC Number: