Two studies examined the hypothesis that different forms of common first names-formal (such as Robert), familiar (such as Bob), and adolescent (such as Bobby)-elicit differential inferences about the personalities of the name bearer. Experiment I showed that differentiation among these three name categories was a significant basis for subjects' free sorting of common names according to similar personality types. In Experiment 2 subjects displayed different patterns of trait inferences about persons identified by formal as opposed to familiar and adolescent names. Implications of these findings are discussed.
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