Putting threat into perspective: Experimental studies on perceptual distortion in international conflict

Conflicts are often accompanied by mutually distorted perceptions such that threat exerted by the adversary is exaggerated whereas threat by one's own side is minimized. The authors investigated the effects of perspective-tak ing on perceptual distortions using perceived power motivation as an unobtr usive measure of perceived threat. In two experiments, respondents summariz ed speeches made by Bill Clinton and Saddam Hussein during an episode of th e September 1996 Gulf Crisis. Study I showed that of participants cued into the perspective of a U.S. military officer; greater levels of distortions were found compared to participants reviewing the speeches from the perspec tive of a historian. In Study 2, taking the perspective of a mediator in co nflict did not reduce perceptual distortion, suggesting that distance to th e conflict is an important factor for reducing perceptions of threat. The d iscussion focuses on the fluidity of threat perceptions and addresses ways in which perspective-taking can minimize the risk of conflict escalation.