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MENTAL MODEL · M0400

The Third-Person Effect

The Third-Person Effect
BehaviorHigh supportSocial Psychology
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

People believe they are less susceptible to media influence, yet overestimate the extent to which others are affected, thus being lenient with themselves and strict with others.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

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Believing oneself immune, yet overestimating media influence on others.

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People tend to think that media messages have a greater impact on others and a lesser impact on themselves, leading to the illusion that 'others are more easily manipulated.'

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Source support: Explicit

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    baike.baidu.comhttps://baike.baidu.com/item/%E7%AC%AC%E4%B8%89%E4%BA%BA%E6%95%88%E5%BA%94ZH · Explicit
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