Abstract
Stereotypes and categorial variability: Contrast between representational models. The current investigation was conducted to examine if variability judgments are stored in an abstract fashion or if they are made ad hoc by retrieving exemplars from memory. 48 university students read a set of conductual stimuli which differed on variability (high vs. low) and on normative nature (stereotypical vs. counterstereotypical). After a distractory task we first measured the effect on variability judgment. We then compared variability judgment latency with a judgment intended to be on-line (liking) and with a judgment intended to be memory-based (thoughfulness). Finally, we observed the relationship between variability judgment and actual variability of retrieved behaviours. Results showed that variability information is stored in memory, though it is capable of revision with exemplar information.
