Social - Cognition Personality Reflects Internal Representations

Social Cognition Emphasis on internal cognitive processes (like Kelly) – How do we make sense of our social world? Internal representations rather than external reality – No direct access to social world; entirely mediated Empirical; emphasis on memory and perceptions

Schemas – Knowledge Structure – Organized set of constructs Relevant for a particular domain – Roles, events, etc. – Activated schemas: Influence memory Influence perceptions

Schemas - Memory Claudia Cohen 2-part study Part 1 – determine schema content

Part 1: Schema content LibrarianWaitress Introvert ed Extrover ted Cultured Un- cultured Wine Classical Music Beer Country Music History Novel Harlequin Romance Europe Graceland

Part II: Memory effects Created ambiguous video – ½ waitress consistent (e.g., beer) – ½ librarian consistent (e.g., Motzart) Ps watch video Told to form impression One-half told: – woman is waitress – woman is librarian

Memory Effect Results Ps given surprise memory test Told: Waitress Waitress behaviors Librarian Librarian behaviors Better memory for schema consistent info.

Memory Effects: Implications and Limitations Stereotype Maintenance – Cognitive explanations Effect due to: – Selective encoding – Selective retrieval Exceptions? Stereotype change?

Schemas - Perception Activated schema influences perceptions – View others differently as function of different schemas Differential encoding and interpretation Langer and Abelson – Mental Patient Schema

Perception: Mental Patient Schema Create ambiguous audiotape – Employment or psychiatric interview – Older man interviewing younger man e.g., asks about his past, employment future Ps Ph.D clinical psychologists – Either Psychodynamic or Behavioral Listened to one tape and provided assessment Assessments coded for overall psychological functioning

Mental Patient Schema-Results Psychodynamic Behavioral Therapists Therapists Employment Interview Psychiatric Interview Same external reality; different internal representation

Implications Our social world is mediated – We don’t interact with other people; we interact with our perceptions of other people Acting on our internal representations can sometimes influence others’ behaviors (and vice-versa) – Elicit behaviors consistent with beliefs – Self-fulfilling prophecy (Rosenthal)