Aims
Kelley’s results have considerable significance in terms of how people present themselves to others. The results have shown that a change of one trait within a set of traits results in different impression formation. Kelley carried out the study in 1950, so I want to replicate the study and see if the occurrence of the results is the same after 56 years. Expected result is that participants given warm pre information will rate positive whereas participants given cold pre information will be more negative.
Hypothesis
My hypothesis is pre-information will have a direct affect on impression formation. This hypothesis is directional as studies such as this have already been completed. I will be carrying out a study to support Asch’s theory which will be based on the same theory won’t be repeated.
Significance level: p = 0.05
A minimum level of significance of 5% will be acceptable. This means that the probability of getting the results by chance is less than 5%.
Method
Design
A laboratory experiment was used as it was the most practical way to test the hypothesis. Independent group design was used because of warm and cold pre information. This study was done using independent and dependent variables. Independent variable (IV) was the impression formation on pre information on two conditions, ‘warm’ (condition 1) and ‘cold’ (condition 2). The dependent variable was the participants rating on a 1-10 scale.
I chose experimental method as it involves manipulating one variable to determine if changes in one variable cause changes in another variable. Also, repeated measures were used as the same participants were involved in both the conditions of the experiment.
IV - Pre-information will have a direct effect on the impression formed.
Condition A – A person will be described as warm in this situation.
Condition B- The same person will be described as cold to a second group of participants.
DV- A Likert scale will be used in this study. The scale will be numbered from 1-10. If the participants rate the person as 1 then it means negatively rated whereas if the participant rates the person 10 then it means that they have rated the person positively.
As experimental method relies on controlled methods, I made sure the experiment was carried out during lessons, so the noise level was down. The confounding variables were kept constant i.e. I gave all the participants 3 minutes to read the instructions before they could start the experiment.
Researcher bias was also reduced by giving instructions to the participants and having 2 moderators including me to oversee the test which reduced levels of investigator effects. I also made sure that the confounding variables were reduced so that the results for the experiment do not vary.
Participants
The study was carried in 2 psychology rooms during a free lesson. 15 random students both male and female participated and were put into 2 different groups. All the participants were sixth form students from our school aged 16-19 years. The students who studied psychology or were studying were not involved in the study as they might have a prior knowledge of the subject which could present confounding variables. I also made sure that the sample of participants I collected was from diverse cultures to make sure it wasn’t culturally biased.
The sample method used was an opportunity sample method. I collected a group of students from the common room as they had free time. They were requested if they could spend some time and participate in a psychology research. The research was carried out with two moderators including me and the psychology teacher.
As the participants were divided into 2 groups for condition 1 and 2, I made sure the experiment was carried out at the same time.
Materials
An image of the stimulus was chosen randomly from internet and a smart board was used to show the image so it is clear observed. I chose not to print the image in the questionnaire because it could have been not that clear as it was on the smart board. The participants were given instructions on A4 sheets and a pen was used to answer the questionnaire. I also used a Likert scale to receive clearer impression formed for both warm and cold conditions. A pre information sheet will also be used on which the information about the stimulus would be given to the participants. (See appendix 2).
Procedures
During the study for both the conditions the participants were given instructions and were free to leave if they wanted to withdraw at any time. (See Briefing and debriefing in Appendix 1).
The participants will be first chosen randomly and divided into 2 groups. The participants would then be shown the image of the stimulus on the smart board. Then the information about the stimulus would be read by the moderator and the participants would then be ready to use the likert scale on the impression formed by the pre information given to them.
Controls
The experiment was carried out in 2 different psychology rooms opposite each other. I also made sure that the room temperature in both the rooms was warm as it was raining outside and was pretty cold. I ensured that the participants in both the rooms did just one condition (either warm or cold). The school sixth form has students from diverse cultures so it wasn’t hard to find participants who were from different cultures.
Results
In the questionnaire given to the participants the following characteristics were mentioned.
- Unapproachable and approachable
- Not apologetic and apologetic
- Selfish and selfless
- Unhelpful and helpful
- Not charitable and charitable
The table below show the total points given out by the Ps in both the conditions 1 and 2.
Condition 1 – ‘cold’
Condition 2 – ‘warm’
The bar chart below shows mean scores of 5 characteristics comparing condition 1 ‘cold’ and condition 2 ‘warm’.
From the above figures it can be seen than the participants who were given warm pre information of the stimulus, formed more positive impression, whereas the participants who were given cold pre information formed negative impression of the stimulus. This shows that pre information highly influence the impression formed.
In the chart:
1 – Mean
2 – Median
3 – Range
Inferential Statistics
To check whether prior information affected impression formation of the participants I used the Mann Whitney Test. The design I used was an independent design.
Observed value: U =
Critical value:
Discussion
Explanation of Findings
My primary purpose was to replicate Kelley’s (1950) investigation of ‘warm’ and ‘cold’ variable in first impression. The results of my findings show that prior information does change impression formation of an individual. Thus it shows that warm pre information of an individual forms a positive impression and vice versa. The mean scores of condition 2 were all above 6 in a 1-10 ranking suggesting scores biased to the negative attributes whereas the mean scores of condition 1 ‘cold’ were all less than 5 suggesting scores biased to the positive attributes.
Also, the Mann Whitney Test confirmed the results to be significant with a 5% probability or less that the results were due to chance.
Relationship to Background Research
Limitations and Modifications
All the participants were 16-18 years old sixth form students. It may be that the results obtained from the participants may not be the same with people who finished sixth form. The only way to solve this problem is to make sure that the participants in the research are males and females who do not go sixth form.
Some of the participants in the experiment were from different cultures but participants from some ethnic groups were not included. This means that the study was ethnocentric. To improve this, the experiment should have been organized on a day when students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds could participate.
Also, all the participants were truly satisfied with the way the research was carried out. The participants were also satisfied with the instructions which were given to them before the research. After debriefing the participants left the room without any complaints and issues which was very rewarding.
Implications and Suggestions for Future Research
With just a characteristic, an impression of an individual can be formed. For example, a personal statement sent to the universities tells the reader the characteristics of the person. If the personal statement reflects good qualities and features of the individual, the reader might form a positive and warm impression.
A suggestion for future research would be that the participants are selected with regards of there age, sex and culture.
Conclusion
This research supported the hypothesis that pre information will influence the perceptions of an individual. Hence this supports the findings of Asch and Kelley (1950).
Reference
Appendix 1
Briefing
- Thank you for participating today.
- The following experiment is for a psychology coursework
- If at any time you want to leave or withdraw, please feel free to leave as it is truly voluntary.
- The answers you provide are anonymous and are not given to any other sources.
- The answers in the questionnaire would be only used for this experiment but nothing else.
- Are the instructions clear to everyone, if not then please ask.
- An image of a person will be shown to you on the smart board.
- You are required to listen to the information the moderators going to give you, and use the likert scale on the sheets in front of you to rate certain characteristics of the person on the smart board.
- If you all are happy with what you need to do then lets start the experiment. Are you all clear with what you are doing?
- If you need any help, please raise your hand and wait for the experimenter to assist you.
Debriefing
- Thank you very much for giving us your precious time and participating in the experiment.
- As I have said earlier this was for my psychology course, to experiment if cold or warm pre information of a stranger are given to individuals, forms negative or positive impressions respectively.
- Thank you once again.
