Table 1.

Examples of two-sentence scenarios in each of the six conditions. The critical word is underlined (but did not appear underlined in the actual stimulus lists). Thirty-six scenarios were followed by comprehension questions. For example, the scenario ‘Casper is/You are new on campus. His/Your classmates think he is/you are quite idiosyncratic/clever/dumb compared to others.’ was followed by the question ‘Did Casper/you go to this school last year?’ with the correct answer being ‘no’. Participants were instructed to press a button corresponding to the index finger and middle finger for yes and no respectively before the question left the screen

Other			Self
Positive	Neutral	Negative	Positive	Neutral	Negative
A man knocks on Sandra’s hotel room door. She sees that he has a gift in his hand.	A man knocks on Sandra’s hotel room door. She sees that he has a tray in his hand.	A man knocks on Sandra’s hotel room door. She sees that he has a gun in his hand.	A man knocks on your hotel room door. You see that he has a gift in his hand.	A man knocks on your hotel room door. You see that he has a tray in his hand.	A man knocks on your hotel room door. You see that he has a gun in his hand.
Fletcher writes a poem for a class. His friends think it’s a very beautiful composition.	Fletcher writes a poem for a class. His friends think it’s a very intricate composition.	Fletcher writes a poem for a class. His friends think it’s a very boring composition.	You write a poem for a class. Your friends think it’s a very beautiful composition.	You write a poem for a class. Your friends think it’s a very intricate composition.	You write a poem for a class. Your friends think it’s a very boring composition.
Vince spends time with relatives over the break. This turns out to be a wonderful experience for him.	Vince spends time with relatives over the break. This turns out to be a characteristic experience for him.	Vince spends time with relatives over the break. This turns out to be a disastrous experience for him.	You spend time with relatives over the break. This turns out to be a wonderful experience for you.	You spend time with relatives over the break. This turns out to be a characteristic experience for you.	You spend time with relatives over the break. This turns out to be a disastrous experience for you.
After dinner, Lydia is involved in a discussion. She makes a few remarks that impress her friends.	After dinner, Lydia is involved in a discussion. She makes a few remarks that surprise her friends.	After dinner, Lydia is involved in a discussion. She makes a few remarks that hurt her friends.	After dinner, you are involved in a discussion. You make a few remarks that impress your friends.	After dinner, you are involved in a discussion. You make a few remarks that surprise your friends.	After dinner, you are involved in a discussion. You make a few remarks that hurt your friends.
Carmelo has been in his current job for over a year. He learns he is getting a bonus this December.	Carmelo has been in his current job for over a year. He learns he is getting a transfer this December.	Carmelo has been in his current job for over a year. He learns he is getting a pay-cut this December.	You have been in your current job for over a year. You learn you are getting a bonus this December.	You have been in your current job for over a year. You learn you are getting a transfer this December.	You have been in your current job for over a year. You learn you are getting a pay-cut this December.