Principal Investigator: dr Piotr Dragon

1.    Research project objectives/ Research hypothesis
The aim of the project is to develop and test the model of the relationship between two fundamental dimensions of social perception: communion (warmth) and agency (competence). The results obtained in previous studies indicated that sometimes these dimensions are related positively (halo effect), and other times the relationship was negative (compensatory perception) (Abele & Wojciszke, 2014). In the project we assume that these seemingly contradictory relationships function simultaneously and stem from the way in which the dimensions of agency and communion are interrelated in the structure of knowledge.
Moreover, these two patterns of results are explained in the literature by different mechanisms: negative relationship by cognitive mechanism, and positive - motivational. In this project we assume that both types of relations could be explained using cognitive mechanism - activation of interrelated knowledge structures.
In this project we present the model of relationship between the dimensions of agency (competence) and communion (warmth) that integrates current knowledge on the subject. The model is based on connectionist modeling approach (Thagard and Verbeurgt, 1998).

2.    Research project methodology
The main axis of the project are simulation studies, conducted using the methodology of connectionist modelling. Based on preliminary simulation studies and model assumptions, it was possible to recreate both types of relationships (halo effect and compensatory perception) and to determine the conditions in which they occur.
In addition, we intend to conduct three lines of research. The first one focuses on collecting data to accurately estimate the parameters used in the model and on simulation studies. In the second line using experiments we want to test the validity of our model assumptions. In the third line we plan to evaluate the predictive validity of the model - we assume that by knowing the structure of the individual associations between dimensions of agency and communion of a given person, it will be possible to predict the occurrence of specific effects (halo or compensatory perception).

3.    Expected impact of the research project on the development of science, civilization and society
If assumptions of the model and its validity will be confirmed, the described model and approach to the analysis of the process of impression formation will help in finding answer for the question of how the fundamental dimensions of social perception are related, and in a broader sense, what is the nature of the process of social perception and impression formation. In addition, the simplicity of the model makes it easy to generalize it to other dimensions that are of interest for psychology. If the proposed model proves to be valid, perhaps it will be possible to predict the effect of the process of impression formation at the level of individual decisions.

4.    International collaboration
The project was prepared in direct collaboration with partner who is a world-class expert in the field of research on social perception, which is reflected in his publication record in the world's top psychological journals. The scope of his research interests directly fits into the subject of the project. In addition, in the project we plan to use procedures adapted and used by the Partner in previous studies. Collaboration with Partner’s institution will also allow contact between Principal Investigator and a group of experts in the subject of modeling and simulation research.