Analyzing social perception of chronotypes within the stereotype content model

In the present article, we attempted to analyze the social perceptions of morning and evening chronotypes using the framework of the stereotype content model which posits that all social impressions and group stereotypes form along two basic dimensions: warmth and competence. The participants (N = 1277; 53% women) completed the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM) and a questionnaire measuring beliefs about social perceptions of Morning-types and Evening-types. Bottom 10%, middle 20% and top 10% of the CSM distribution (N = 501 individuals) were selected as representatives of 'pure' chronotypes: evening ('E-types'), intermediate ('N-types') and morning ('M-types'). In the entire sample, M-types were perceived as markedly more competent and marginally warmer than E-types. When we took into account the perceivers' own chronotypes, only the perceptions reported by N-types were consistent with that pattern. M-type perceivers displayed analogic albeit markedly stronger positive views of their ingroups, whereas E-types believed that individuals sharing their diurnal preference are equally competent but more warm compared to M-types. It seems that social perceptions of chronotypes emerge as a composition of two effects: the socially shared stereotype (emphasizing high competence of M-types) and ingroup-serving biases, resulting in viewing people sharing the perceiver's own chronotype in a more favorable way.