Social Cognition & Moral Development

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on Social Cognition and Moral Development, designed to help students review and prepare for their exam.

What is social cognition?

Social cognition is thinking about the perceptions, thoughts, emotions, motives, and behaviors of self, others, groups, and social systems.

What does a false belief task assess?

It assesses the understanding that people can hold incorrect beliefs that can influence their behavior.

What is a theory of mind?

It is the understanding that people have mental states such as desires, beliefs, and intentions that guide their behavior.

What are mirror neurons?

Neurons that activate when we perform an action and when we observe someone else perform the same action, related to theory of mind.

What is perspective taking?

The ability to adopt another person's perspective and understand their thoughts and feelings.

What are the three basic components of morality?

Emotional component, cognitive component, and behavioral component.

What is preconventional morality?

A stage where rules are external to the self and not internalized.

What is the moral emotion in psychoanalytic theory?

Feelings that motivate moral behavior, including guilt and pride.

What are prosocial behaviors?

Positive social acts that reflect concern for the welfare of others.

What is moral disengagement?

A process that allows individuals to avoid self-condemnation when engaging in immoral behavior.

What is the difference between religiousness and spirituality?

Religiousness involves beliefs and practices of organized religion, while spirituality is a quest for ultimate meaning and connection with something greater than oneself.

What role does empathy play in moral development?

Empathy motivates prosocial behavior and helps us avoid antisocial behavior.

What are Kochanska's components of conscience development?

Moral emotions and self-control.

What did Kohlberg identify as key stages in moral reasoning?

Preconventional, conventional, and postconventional morality.

How does moral socialization occur in children?

Through proactive parenting strategies and approaches to discipline.

What is juvenile delinquency?

Law-breaking behavior by a minor.