Psychological distance as a means of evaluation

Abstract

The psychological distance of objects (e.g., things, places, other people) affects how we think about them. Research suggests that psychological proximity and distance might be also related to positive and negative evaluations, respectively. In this study, we examined whether we can infer how children aged 13–16 years evaluate objects based on their statements regarding the psychological distance between themselves and these objects. Using a mixed-methods design, we verified the relationship between evaluations of objects and whether they are perceived as psychologically close or distant, in a sample of secondary school students. School subjects were predominantly used as evaluation objects. Students used a worksheet that allowed them to visually demonstrate perceived psychological distance between themselves and objects, and then they were asked to explain their choice. Results suggested a strong association between psychological distance and positive or negative evaluation. Thus, the implications of our findings may be relevant for psychodiagnostics.