FORMING SHARED IMPRESSIONS THROUGH CONVERSATION - AN ADAPTATION OF THE CONTINUUM MODEL

This article adapts the assumptions of the continuum model of impressi on formation to address the development of shared impressions in dyads . Two experiments tested the additional assumption that the developmen t of shared impressions depends on consensus motivation. Consensus mot ivation should focus conversation around stereotype-consistent informa tion and encourage shared stereotypic impressions. However, when dyads are motivated by both consensus and accuracy, they should increase fo cus on stereotype-inconsistent information, then form shared individua ted impressions. In both experiments, hypotheses generally were confir med regarding consensus motivation. However, hypotheses regarding accu racy motivation met with mixed success; individuating processes were d etected but failed to encourage individuated impressions. The discussi on explores reasons why these experiments provide only partial support for the extended continuum model.