Abstract

This article reviews the Theory of Multiple Perspectives (Wicklund, 1996; 1999; see also Pantaleo, 1997) emphasizing the concepts of locomotion (along the continuum of orienting vs. multiple perspectives), internalization, as well as an analysis of behavioral outcomes (in terms of orienting vs. multiple perspectives in the short, medium, and long run). The article then describes some research paradigms employed to explore - also from a cross-cultural perspective - the phenomena of social influence, intolerance with respect to opinions expressed by others, the preference for a relatively ambiguous stimulus situation, the internalization of multiple perspectives by means of forced compliance, and the links between internalization, identification, and tolerance between social groups. Some uses of the theory of multiple perspectives are suggested. The review ends with an illustration of how some theoretical principles may be employed to examine issues raised by the theory with respect to the classical phenomena of psychological reactance and social comparison.