Estimates of spatial distance: a Construal Level Theory perspective

This chapter examines two hypotheses on the psychological effects of spatial distance, both of which derived from Construal Level Theory of psychological distance (Liberman & Trope, 2008; Liberman, Trope & Stephan, 2007; Trope & Liberman, 2010): that spatial distance affects and is affected by other psychological distances, and that it affects and is affected by level of construal. We present evidence in support of each of these hypotheses, and draw novel predictions that stem from them. We also discuss, from the perspective of CLT, the question of whether spatial distance is more basic than other distances (social distance, temporal distance and hypotheticality).