The role of hemispheric activation in person perception: Evidence for an attentional focus model

Two studies assessed the rule of hemispheric activation in person perception. Results of Study 1 supported an attentional focus model of hemispheric differences in person perception as opposed to a stereotyping/individuating model. Relative to left hemisphere-activated participants. right hemisphere-activated participants made more individuating judgments and engaged in more trait level stereotyping, whereas left hemisphere-activated participants engaged in more global stereotyping. In Study 2, greater individuation by participants under higher levels of motivation and ability was shown to be mediated by relatively greater right hemisphere activation. Results of both studies are interpreted in terms of an attentional focus model of person perception. Implications for dual process models of social perception are also discussed. (C) 1998 Academic Press.