Accentuation and sensitization effects in the categorization of multifaceted stimuli

Categorization affects perceptions in ways that are assumed to underlie soc ial stereotypes; Research on categorization, however, has focused either on very simple stimuli or on judgmental tasks that focus attention only on si ngle dimensions: To more fully understand the role of categorization in soc ial perception, it is important to examine its effects in the case of multi faceted stimuli and holistic judgments. In 3 studies, participants formed a n impression of a focal category of multifaceted stimuli either by itself o r in the context of another category. They then judged the typicality of ex emplars to the focal category. Results showed that categorization in the pr esence of a context produced both accentuation and sensitization effects: P articipants accentuated between-category differences on relevant dimensions , and they were less sensitive to exemplar differences on irrelevant dimens ions.