Observational evaluative conditioning is sensitive to relational information.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Social learning allows rapid adjustment of behavior through observation.
• Observational evaluative conditioning (OEC) is a key mechanism for forming or changing evaluations.
• Relational information about a model's reactions can influence OEC effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how relational information moderates observational evaluative conditioning (OEC).
• To examine the impact of perceived authenticity of a model's reactions on OEC.
• To differentiate effects on explicit self-reports versus implicit measures (pIAT).

Main Methods:

• Five studies involving 912 participants were conducted.
• Participants observed a model's reactions (positive/negative) to stimuli.
• Participants received information about the authenticity of the model's reactions (genuine, faked, opposite).
• Stimulus evaluations were measured using self-report ratings and a personalized Implicit Association Test (pIAT).

Main Results:

• Genuine reactions led to expected OEC effects.
• Perceived faked reactions reduced self-reported OEC but not pIAT effects.
• Stating reactions were opposite eliminated or reversed self-reported effects and eliminated pIAT effects.

Conclusions:

• The perceived authenticity of a model's reactions significantly moderates OEC.
• Explicit and implicit measures of evaluation show differential sensitivity to perceived authenticity.
• Findings inform theories of social learning and mental processes underlying evaluation.