How do subtle shifts in perspective shape the way we make sense of our social world?

• Pronouns like “I”, “you” and “we” communicate important information beyond who is speaking or being addressed. They also can signal or shift perspective. My collaborators and I have found the generic use of the pronoun “you”, that is, “you” that is used to refer to people in general rather than a specific person (e.g. “You never know until you try”) can shape the way people make sense of their social worlds.
• Our work suggests that
  • Adults and children use generic “you” to express and interpret norms
  • Conveying a message with generic “you” makes it more resonant 
  • Crafting a persuasive argument with generic “you” makes it more effective, especially for people who are open-minded
  • A variety of unrelated language also use generic you to convey norms and lessons
• This work reveals people’s sensitivity to subtle shifts in language, and how such shifts may reflect people’s attitudes, and shape them.

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