EFFECTS OF INCONSISTENT BEHAVIORS ON PERSON IMPRESSIONS - A MULTIDIMENSIONAL STUDY

This study addresses effects of expectancy-inconsistent behaviors on t wo characteristics of person impressions: the target person's perceive d position and fit within a multidimensional trait structure of Implic it Personality Theory (IPT). Inconsistency was manipulated with respec t to two dimensions of IPT, evaluation and potency. Behaviors with inc onsistent evaluation implications did not affect the impressions. Inco nsistencies on potency produced an asymmetry: Unexpected strong behavi ors had the effect of higher ratings on traits reflecting high-potency , but not proportionately lower ratings on low-potency traits (produci ng a shift in the target's position as well as a decrease in the targe t's fit within subjects' IPT); effects of unexpected weak behaviors we re substantially smaller. Thus effects of inconsistent information dep ended on (a) dimension of contrast (evaluation/potency), (b) valence o f initial expectancy, and (c) valence of response trait scales.