1. Kristin Tritch Kristina Faudree
Social Cognition
Kristin Tritch
Kristina Faudree

2. Definition
Process of thinking about how other people are likely to think, act and react and choosing one’s own interpersonal behaviors accordingly
Develop theory of mind that has complex understandings of people’s mental and emotional states
Thoughts
Beliefs
Feelings
Motives
Intentions

3. Infancy
Become aware of ability to share focus of attention with caregiver (intersubjectivity)
Learn about intentionality, which is when they realize people behave in order to accomplish a goal so they draw inferences about their intentions
Observe people’s emotional reactions, so
follow these reactions (social referencing)

4. Early Childhood
Start using words that are “feelings” and “thinking” (ex: want, sad)
Mind does not always show events accurately
Learn to think more about others

5. Middle Childhood
Learn people’s actions don’t always show true thoughts
Realize other people interpret and not just remember their experiences
Don’t stereotype specific types of people

6. Early Adolescence
Learn that people may have more than one feeling at the same time that conflict
Begin recursive thinking, which is where they think about what other people are thinking about them

7. Late Adolescence Learn people are products of environment and past
Learn to use peers as a way to find themselves
Become more aware that there are some people that are different from them

8. In the Classroom Talk to children about their feelings
Look at situations from other’s perspectives
Help with body language and nonverbal cues
Work to break down stereotypes