Social Cognition and Automatic Thinking Study Notes

Foundations of Social Cognition

  • Social Cognition: The study of how individuals select, remember, and utilize social information to make judgments and decisions.

  • Dr. William Stern: A key figure in the study of social cognition and automatic thinking.

  • Constructivism: The theory that perception and memory are created by the individual based on previous experience, significantly impacting judgments of others.

Dual Thinking Systems

  • Experiential System: Characterized by unconscious, intuitive, and automatic processing.

  • Cognitive System: Characterized by conscious, rational, and controlled processing.

  • System Interaction: These systems operate independently; their dominance depends on the specific individual and prevailing circumstances.

Automatic Thinking

  • Definition: Thoughts that are nonconscious, unintentional, involuntary, or effortless.

  • Identification Criteria:     * Not consciously initiated.     * Driven by external stimuli.     * Difficult to control (high level of efficiency).     * Functional even when a person is rushed, multitasking, or distracted.

Utility and Evolution

  • Evolutionary Basis: Automatic processes provided survival advantages in hunter/gatherer societies.

  • Dual Evolution: Survival necessitated the development of both systems (Tomlin, Rand, Ludvig, & Cohen, 2015).

  • Efficiency: Automatic routines allow for the accomplishment of goals with minimal mental energy, preventing the exhaustion associated with constant deliberate thinking.

Questions & Discussion

  • Narrative Dialogue:     * Nihlus: "This mission is far more than a simple shakedown run."     * Possible Responses: "I knew it.", "What's going on?", or "That's obvious."

  • Social Choice Examples:     * Food options: "Bacon omelette" vs. "Belgian waffle."     * Interpersonal decisions: "TELL GABE" vs. "KEEP ETHAN'S SECRET."