This study investigated reactions to the death of a similar or dissimilar person. Sixty females met and evaluated a confederate who was presented as similar or dissimilar to themselves. Participants returned for a second session and were informed of the confederate's fate (death, accident or no show). No differences were found in changes in perceptions of similarity and attractiveness of the victim. There were also no differences in verbal denial of the victim's misfortune. Results of a viewing time measure indicated that people spent less time viewing the victim's pictures when he was dead and similar. The limitations of the paradigm were discussed.
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