Beyond traits and states: Interpersonal decentering is also activated social information processing

Interpersonal decentering is a narrative-based measure of role-taking (perspective-taking). Though it appears to measure both trait effects and situationally activated social information processing, the evidence for the latter has been indirect. Drawing on a process-focused model of the measure's causal validity, we manipulated activation experimentally, comparing decentering scores from expressive writing essays under standard instructions (activation condition) versus control instructions, then correlated decentering scores with use of activated language. Participants (N = 176) writing under activation instructions scored higher in decentering than controls, d = 0.57–0.67. With condition controlled, both decentering scores correlated significantly with greater proportions of present-tense verbs, positive emotion words, and cognitive words, showing trait effects. Findings supported the situational activation property of interpersonal decentering, consistent with the process-focused model and increasing the flexibility and utility of the concept.