INFLUENCE OF CULTURAL NORMS ON SOCIAL JUDGMENTS

Previous cross-cultural research suggests that individuals with indivi dualist normorietation (Idiocentrics) prefer dispositional information in social judgments whereas individuals with collectivist orientation (Allocentrics) use more frequently contextual information. These diff erences can be explained with the three-stage model of inference proce ss by Gilbert (1989) which suggests that Idiocentrics and Allocentrics use the stages in different ways. In a laboratory experiment was exam ined whether Idiocentrics and Allocentrics form different categories i n the early stages of information processing or whether they differ in the amount of correcture processes in the third stage or whether both processes are used. Eased on a 2 (cultural nomorientation: Idiocentri cs, Allocentrics)x 2 (time pressure on information process: with, whit hout) design the subjects were ask to carry out a sorting task. The re sults showed differences in the early stages: Idiocentrics prefer more dispositional categories than Allocentrics whereas Allocentrics forme d more contextual categories than Idiocentrics. The ''fundamental erro r of attribution'' was confirmed for the Idiocentrics. The findings ar e discussed with respect to the concepts of selective attention and at tribution and category accessibility.