关键词: 解释水平, 心理距离, 直接操纵, 间接操纵

Abstract: Construal level is the level of abstract representation of objects or events, and the level of abstract representation varies from low to high. High construal level is abstract, core, goal related, simple, while low construal level is concrete, contextual, complicated, secondary, subordinate etc. The construal level will affect people’s judgement, negotiation, decision, cognition etc. Over the decade, the theory and research of construal level turn to mature. However, there are still controversies existing through the development and improvement of construal level theory. The below four issues are worth looking into by researchers. The first issue is the controversy of the psychological mechanism of the construal level. Several researches show that some factors which are beyond the “traditional four dimensions of psychological distance” also can change the construal level. Therefore, there are two possibilities—these factors maybe beyond the mechanism of the psychological distance, or maybe the psychological distance but not belong to the traditional four dimensions. Secondly, which is the reason and which is the result, construal level or psychological distance? Most researchers support the opinion that “the change of psychological distance” affects “the change of construal level”. Individuals with far psychological distance result in more abstract representation, whilst closer psychological distance causes more concrete representation. However, some researchers point out, there is two-way relationship between psychological distances and construal level. The construal level also impact on the psychological distance. So, which one is the dependent variable and which one is independent variable need further discussion. Thirdly, is the construal level of an individual trait variable or a contextual variable? Most researchers regard construal level as the contextual variable which could be changed with psychological distance, while some researchers believe that construal level has stable differences among individuals. There are also researchers consider the construal level has both characters. Therefore, in the contextual research, if the individual difference is obvious, it is necessary to consider this aspect of construal level. On the other hand, when studying the individual difference of contextual level, one should control the possible disturbance from situation. Fourth, which way is more effective to initiate construal level, direct manipulation or indirect manipulation? Most studies use two ways to induce the construal level—direct or indirect manipulation: direct manipulation is manipulating psychological distance, and the indirect manipulation is manipulating affairs or tasks which related construal level. But whether or not these affairs or tasks refer to the change of abstract representation level still depends on further research. Besides, research has found the consequence of direct manipulation and indirect manipulation is completely opposite. Hence, future research should compare the consequence of direct manipulation and indirect manipulation, explore and improve the method and paradigm which can effectively induce individual’s abstract representation level. The above mentioned four issues are all related mechanisms or conceptions of construal level. The further discussion is helpful to improve and develop the Construal Level Theory.

Key words: construal level, psychological distance, direct manipulation, indirect manipulation