Refers to information processing that has the following characteristics: fast, parallel, efficient, takes little cognitive resources, and can be done in the absence of active control or attention. These processes influence the motivations that trigger various social cognitive behaviors. 

Automatic Processing

Information processing that is under our intentional control; we're consciously aware of the effort and attentional resources being used at the moment. 

Controlled Processing

There are two modes of processing in social cognition:
- Automatic Processing 
- Deliberate Processing

Alma College

- Mentalism

- Orientation Towards Cognitive Processes

- Cross-fertilization of Cognitive and Social Psychology

- Application to the Real World
- Dual Modes of Processing

Basic Assumptions of Social Cognitive Theories

Processing (cognitive)

Humans use two distinct cognitive systems:
- System 1 is fast, intuitive, unconscious and automatic.
- System 2 is slow, reflective, conscious and controlled.

Dual systems of cognition

Fiske, S. T., & Taylor, S. E. (2017). Social cognition: From brains to culture. London: Sage Publications. 

 Social Cognition: From Brains to Culture 3rd Edition

Mentalism refers to the existence and importance of cognitive representations. People have mental representations for general and specific memories, other people, events, the self, etc. We use these representations to help organize information and guide information processing

Mentalism

Concerns how mental elements form, operate, and change over time. Social cognitive research attempts to learn about the mechanisms and stages in which we turn perceptions (habits, thoughts, etc.) into responses. 

Cognitive Processes in Social Settings

The field of social cognition adopts methods and theoretical aspects from social and cognitive psychology. For instance, social phenomena (e.g. intergroup biases) may be examined by using cognitive techniques (e.g. eye-tracking, response time, etc.). 

Cross-Fertilization of Cognitive and Social Psychology 

Social cognition research allows us to study phenomena that isn't possible using only a cognitive analysis. The results in this field are often used to improve the legal system, healthcare, psychotherapy, marketing, interpersonal interactions, etc. 

Real-World Social Issues

- Dual systems: System 1 (automatic) and system 2 (controlled)
- Hierarchical processing
- Load theory of attention
- Differences in Processing Positive and Negative Information

Focuses of research on processing

Traces the sequences of the different operations within the mind - similar to how a computer is broken down into memory units, an input processor, etc.

Information-Processing approach

This model suggests that when people are processing a negated message, they first internalize the core affirmative message, and then add on the negation. For example, if the sentence being processed is "Sue does not like cake", first "Sue likes cake" is processed, then the "does not" part is added in. Over time, people may forget the link between the core statement and the negation and start to misremember.

Schema-plus-tag Model for Negated Messages

The automatic system used in cognition. Generates: feelings, intuitions, impressions and intentions.

System 1 

System 1 thinking represents a mode of cognitive processing that is rapid, automatic, and intuitive. Operating effortlessly, it is often guided by emotion and serves as the primary driver for everyday decisions, judgments, and initial impressions.

System 1 Thinking

System 2 thinking represents a mode of cognitive processing that is slow, deliberate, and analytical. This system is specifically activated for effortful tasks that require complex computations.

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