Compensation between warmth and competence: Antecedents and consequences of a negative relation between the two fundamental dimensions of social perception

In the present chapter we first review research that has identified two fundamental dimensions of social perception. Having defined these two dimensions, we then present the results of a research program conducted to explore the relationship between them. In general, using both experimental and correlational data, we find evidence of a compensation effect between the two dimensions when two targets are compared. That is, when one target is judged more positively on one of the two fundamental dimensions, the second is judged more positively on the other dimension. We show that this compensation effect is confined to these two fundamental dimensions rather than something that more broadly characterises comparative judgements on any two judgemental dimensions. We then explore the importance of this compensation effect for the formation, maintenance, confirmation, and communication of mixed stereotypes of social groups.