Perceivers simulate minds judged similar and theorize about minds judged different

Evidence

People tend to see others as either similar to or different from themselves and that determination underlies the strategy used for mind reading. To the extent that another person is seen as similar, the perceiver is more likely to rely on simulation. — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 380

Categorization

• XREF: Corroborates the Allport thread: the similarity judgment that selects simulation vs theory of mind parallels ingroup/outgroup categorization, where outgroup members are theorized abstractly rather than simulated empathetically - a mechanism-level account of dehumanization.
• SEED: Article angle: if we simulate only minds we deem similar, then seeing an adversary as ‘different’ is precisely what licenses depersonalized theory-based (stereotyped) treatment - a cognitive lever for prejudice interventions.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 380