When we say something good or bad about someone else, people will tend to associate that quality with us. This phenomenon is known as

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Spontaneous trait transference refers to the tendency for individuals to unknowingly transfer the traits or qualities they attribute to someone else onto the person describing them. In other words, if someone talks about a friend in a positive manner, the listener may unknowingly associate those positive traits with the speaker. Conversely, if someone speaks negatively about someone else, the listener may also unknowingly associate those negative traits with the speaker. This phenomenon can have an impact on how people perceive us, even if we are not actually exhibiting those traits ourselves.

When We Say Something Good or Bad About Someone Else