Implicit and Explicit Evaluation: A Brief Review of the Associative-Propositional Evaluation Model

What is it about?

A central theme in contemporary psychology is the distinction between implicit and explicit evaluation. Implicit versus explicit evaluations of the same object can have different origins and consequences. They can even reflect different evaluations of the object in question. The associative–propositional evaluation (APE) model provides a framework for understanding these dissociations. Here, we present a brief overview of the APE model. The model postulates two distinct, yet interacting, mental processes. Implicit evaluations reflect the outcome of associative processes. These associative processes involve the automatic activation of affective reactions. Explicit evaluations reflect the outcome of propositional processes. These propositional processes involve the validation of activated mental contents. The APE model includes specific assumptions about interactions between the two processes. These assumptions provide an explanation for the diverging patterns of implicit and explicit evaluation.

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