What influences perspective taking ? A dynamic and multidimensional approach

Bukowski, Henryk [UCL]

Perspective-taking (PT) performance is widely considered and assessed as a static and one-dimensional ability. This thesis provides evidence across 4 studies that PT performance fluctuates and is underpinned by two dimensions: (1) the ability to handle conflicts between our egocentric perspective and another person’s perspective and (2) the relative priority given to the processing of the egocentric perspective over another person’s perspective. We have highlighted the effects of task instructions, emotions, and motivation on PT performance. We also found that each of the two dimensions underlying PT can be specifically affected or associated with factors such as guilt, shame, narcissism, and self-reported PT habits. Finally, we found that individuals strongly vary independently on both dimensions so that some people are more or less efficient at perspectives conflict handling and others are altercentric (i.e. prioritizing the other person’s perspective) or egocentric perspective-takers. Overall, while investigating what influences PT performance, we demonstrated the theoretical relevance and usefulness of studying PT as a dynamic and multidimensional ability.