Multimethod assessment of positivity differences when forming first impressions

• Applicant: Dr. Richard Rau
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 530441507

Positivity differences in forming first impressions are a ubiquitous and highly stable trait and represent a key variable for explaining levels of psychosocial functioning. However, to date, there is no established and easy-to-use procedure for measuring them. Existing approaches for measuring positivity have left unanswered the question of systematic influences of the stimuli and response formats used. Furthermore, a description of the characteristics with which positivity differences are associated lacked comprehensiveness, and it remained open whether behavioral tendencies in actual social settings can be inferred from the standardized measurement situation. Finally, a theoretical postulate that has not been tested so far is that generalized tendencies toward positivity or negativity have long-term consequences for personal relationships and can change permanently on the basis of relationship experiences. The present project aims to develop a modular set of new measurement procedures for determining positivity differences and to answer the question of possible method artifacts in positivity measurement (Goal 1). Subsequently, it will be clarified which associations with further characteristics of a person characterize the measured positivity values and to what extent these are similar or different across measurement procedures (Goal 2). Furthermore, it will be shown how well the methods can predict social approach behavior in an getting-acquainted situation (Goal 3). Finally, we will address the hypothesis that initial positivity leads to more favorable relationship outcomes by initiating a self-reinforcing cycle in individuals' daily lives, which in turn may contribute to lasting changes in generalized positivity (Goal 4). The objectives are addressed in two empirical studies. The first part of Study 1 includes eight different tasks measuring positivity, which differ in whether subjects form their impressions based on vignettes vs. videos and in whether their impressions are recorded in the form of scale ratings, selections on adjective checklists, open-ended descriptions, or in a recognition test. To describe associations with outside variables, the second part of Study 1 captures a wealth of constructs from sociodemographics, personality, well-being, attitudes, and social relationships. In the third part, subjects get to know each other in small groups during various activities in a video lab and provide personality impressions about each other. In study 2, subjects regularly complete short smartphone surveys on new acquaintances in everyday life over a long period of time in order to document the temporal course of naturally occurring differences in positivity and, in particular, relationship satisfaction with various interaction partners.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Canada
• Cooperation Partner: Professorin Erika Carlson, Ph.D.