An advantage of appearing mean or lazy: amplified impressions of competence or warmth after mixed descriptions

Three studies show that compensation effects do not require explicit comparisons. Descriptions of mixed valence on warmth/competence lead to more amplified impressions. Cold/competent (vs. warm/competent) descriptions lead to more competent impressions. Incompetent/warm (vs. competent/warm) descriptions lead to warmer impressions. Amplification extends our understanding of innuendo and compensation effects