Social Cognition (Routledge Modular Psychology)

214 Pages·2000·1.86 MB·English

by  Dona Pennington

Social Cognition
Social Cognition looks at the way in which humans interpret, analyse
and remember information about their social world. Topics covered
include: attribution, social schemas and social representations,
prejudice and discrimination.
Donald C.Pennington is a Chief Examiner for A-level Psychology
and Pro-Vice Chancellor at Coventry University.
Routledge Modular Psychology
Series editors: Cara Flanagan is a Reviser for AS and A2 psychology
and lectures at Inverness College. Philip Banyard is Associate Senior
Lecturer in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University and the
Chief Examiner for OCR psychology. Both are experienced writers.
The Routledge Modular Psychology series is a completely new
approach to introductory level psychology, tailor-made to the new
modular style of teaching. Each short book covers a topic in more
detail than any large textbook can, allowing teacher and student to
select material exactly to suit any particular course or project.
The books have been written especially for those students new to
higher-level study, whether at school, college or university. They
include specially designed features to help with technique, such as a
model essay at an average level with an examiner’s comments to
show how extra marks can be gained. The authors are all examiners
and teachers at the introductory level.
The Routledge Modular Psychology texts are all user-friendly and
accessible and include the following features:

(cid:127) practice essays with specialist commentary to show how to achieve
a higher grade
(cid:127) chapter summaries to assist with revision
(cid:127) progress and review exercises
(cid:127) glossary of key terms
(cid:127) summaries of key research
(cid:127) further reading to stimulate ongoing study and research
(cid:127) cross-referencing to other books in the series
Social
Cognition
Donald C.Pennington
London and Philadelphia
First published 2000
by Routledge
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE

Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Taylor & Francis Inc.
325 Chestnut Street, Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2002.

© 2000 Donald C.Pennington
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter
invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publishers.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Pennington, Donald C.
Social cognition/Donald C.Pennington.
p. cm. —(Routledge modular psychology)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Social perception. I. Title. II. Series.
HM1041 .P46 2000
302'.12–dc21 00–032172

ISBN 0-415-21704-0 (hbk)
ISBN 0-415-21705-9 (pbk)
ISBN 0-203-13608-X Master e-book ISBN
ISBN 0-203-17982-X (Glassbook Format)
Also available in this series (titles listed by syllabus section):
ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES AND RESEARCH
AND ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR
Controversies in Psychology
Psychopathology Philip Banyard
John D.Stirling and Jonathan
S.E. Hellewell Ethical Issues in Psychology
Mike Cardwell (forthcoming)
Therapeutic Approaches in
Psychology Introducing Research and
Susan Cave Data in Psychology: A guide
to methods and analysis
BIO-PSYCHOLOGY Ann Searle
Cortical Functions Theoretical Approaches in
John Stirling Psychology
Matt Jarvis
The Physiological Basis of
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Behaviour: Neural and
hormonal processes
Social Influences
Kevin Silber
Kevin Wren
Awareness: Biorhythms, sleep
Interpersonal Relationships
and dreaming
Diana Dwyer
Evie Bentley
OTHER TITLES
COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Sport Psychology
Memory and Forgetting
Matt Jarvis
John Henderson
Health Psychology
Perception: Theory,
Anthony Curtis
development and
organisation
Psychology and Work
Paul Rookes and Jane Willson
Christine Hodson
(forthcoming)
DEVELOPMENTAL
PSYCHOLOGY
STUDY GUIDE
Early Socialisation: Sociability
Exam Success in AEB
and attachment Psychology
Cara Flanagan Paul Humphreys

To Isabel, of course
and
Blob, who else?

Contents
List of illustrations xiii
Acknowledgements xvii
1 Introduction to social cognition 1
What is social cognition? 1
Social cognition and social psychology 3
Social cognition and cognitive psychology 3
Historical perspective 4
Three principles of social cognition 5
People as cognitive misers 6
Spontaneous and deliberative thought 6
Self-esteem 7
Critical comment 7
About this book 8
Summary 9
Further reading 9
2 Attribution of causality I: concepts and theories 11
What are attributions? 11
The basics 12
Internal and external causes 13
Spontaneous and deliberative attributions 14
Voluntary and non-voluntary behaviour 16
ix