交叉分类对刻板印象的影响及认知加工机制

How group is categorized is a primary cue for cognition and impression evaluation of the groups. Unlike categorization along one dimension, cross-categorization may curtail and restrict negative aspects of stereotyping in some cases, but may also accentuate the negative impression in the others. A proper theoretical explanation, however, is lacking for these contradictory results in current research literature. After reviewing the previous studies, the present project formulated a Self-Activation Model, to theoretically explain the nature and direction of the impact of the cross-categorization on stereotyping. The model suggest that evaluating a cross-categorized target will activate one’s cognitive and motivational self. In the cognitive aspect, the consistency between the self and the cross-categorization may influence the stereotyping of targets. In the motivational aspect, the evaluation intention will activate the warmth and competence dimension of one’s self concept, and as a result, will moderate the evaluation outcome. Combining implicit as well as explicit measurement techniques, the present project aims to investigate the uni-dimensional categorization and cross-categorization along two or three dimensions consisting of physical categories and social categories, exploring their impact on stereotyping. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and event-related potential (ERP) techniques will be employed to examine the brain mechanisms underlying the self-activation process. Furthermore, the Me/Not me paradigm, priming, and Virtual Reality technology will be employed to investigate how the fit between cross-categorization and self is cognitively processed, as well as how the evaluation intention activate the two dimensions of the self.

分类是群体认知和印象评价的依据。不同于单维分类，交叉分类既可能减少刻板印象的负性方面，也可能强化消极印象。已有研究缺少对这种矛盾现象的理论解释。本项目在文献分析和前期研究基础上提出自我激活模型来解释交叉分类对刻板印象的影响。模型认为评价交叉分类目标的印象时，个体的认知和动机被激活并发挥作用。在认知层面，自我与交叉分类信息的一致性影响对目标对象的评价。在动机层面，评价意图会激活评价者自我概念中的能力和热情维度并调节对目标的印象评价。本项目通过内隐和外显测量方法从单维、两维和多维等角度考察自然属性和社会属性的交叉分类对刻板印象的影响，分析自我的作用并提出“自我激活模型”的理论假设。采用fMRI、ERP探查交叉分类激活个体自我的脑机制。在此基础上，分别采用Me/not me范式、启动范式、虚拟现实等方法探索和验证刻板印象评价时交叉分类与自我信息匹配的认知加工机制和刻板印象评价意图激活自我的机制。

交叉分类指同时根据两个或多个类别维度来划分群体的过程。围绕交叉分类既可能减少刻板印象的负性方面，也可能强化消极印象这一矛盾现象，本项目提出自我激活模型来解释交叉分类对刻板印象的影响，从认知和动机层面阐释了交叉分类影响刻板印象过程中自我的核心作用机制。自我激活模型认为，交叉分类会改变自我与目标群体的信息匹配程度，激活自我概念中的热情与能力维度，进而调节对目标群体的热情与能力评价。本项目成果采用计算机图像处理技术、刻板解释偏差、最简群体范式、遥远星球范式、启动范式、内隐联想测验和情境模拟实验等方法，揭示了在自然属性与社会属性的交叉分类过程中该模型的加工机制，为理解自我在刻板印象的维护与改变过程中的核心作用机制提供了新的理论诠释。同时为控制或消除刻板印象在人际和群际互动中产生的消极后果提供了一定的对策建议，为营造针对不同类别弱势群体的公平的评价环境提供了理论指导。