Transference

Definition #

Transference is the process by which the representation of a significant other is applied to a new person who is similar to that person in some manner.

• In other words, when we meet someone new who reminds us of someone we know well, we assume the new person also shares other attributes of the known person. We then think we know everything about them.
• We also transfer how we feel about the other person

Basic assumptions #

• Significant other schemas are stored in memory
• Schemas can be activated by different sources of knowledge
  • Can become chronically activated
• Transference occurs when a schema is activated and applied to a new person
• The result of transference is that the perceiver goes beyond the information given about the new person, derived from their previous schema

Properties #

Transference only works for our own significant others. When asked to infer characteristics about nonsignificant others, there is no effect.