On the Unexpected Consequences of Perspective Taking: Influence of Spatial Perspective Rotation on Infra-humanization

This research examined spatial perspective taking and its effect on the perception of other people's emotionality. Adopting the perspective of another person is considered an important factor enhancing interpersonal and intergroup relations. However, it requires conscious effort and reflection. Therefore, the aim was to determine whether rotating spatial perspective places demands on cognitive resources, thereby affecting automatic perception of other people's emotionality. Inspired by previous research, the authors developed the software used in this study. Participants were prompted to move objects on a bookshelf according to the directions of a person standing either on the opposite side of the bookshelf or next to them, on the same side. Using an infra-humanization scale, participants rated their own emotions and those of the person whose perspective they assumed. The results confirmed the hypotheses. Firstly, the need for perspective rotation resulted in decreased performance of the task (lower accuracy and longer time to complete). Secondly, perspective rotation conditions amplified the effect of infra-humanization, i.e., the partner was seen by the participant as less capable of experiencing uniquely human emotions. We can infer that the change of spatial perspective consumed cognitive resources, thereby promoting a simplified and automatic mode of perception.