Generality of impression-formation processes for evaluative and nonevaluative judgments

Notes that most studies of impression-formation models and processes have used some form of evaluative judgment as a dependent variable. In an experiment with 80 undergraduates, the generality of the findings for evaluative judgments to 2 other response dimensions, potency and activity, was examined. The data for evaluative and potency judgments supported a weighted averaging, rather than a summation, model, while neither model adequately accounted for the activity judgments. It was further hypothesized that trait words reflecting unconventional, nonnormative behavior would receive greater weight in forming 1st impressions than would attributes descriptive of most people. The data were generally consistent with this proposition. Implications for the generality of impression-formation models are discussed.