Social Cognition

 

Purpose: Social cognition involves thinking about other people and the self. In this assignment, you will gain a deeper understanding of how people learn about themselves and other people in terms of schemas and self-schemas.

 

Assignment Instructions: Your assignment is divided into two major parts. The first part explores the function of schemas in general, and the second part reviews the function of self-schemas.

 

Section 1: Schemas

 

An important building block of social cognition is the “schema.” In this first section of your assignment, address the following:

 

· Define a schema and discuss the purpose of schemas

· Review the three modes of social learning and provide a personal example of each mode in your own life.

· Compare and contrast “assimilation” and “accommodation”

· Explain why assimilation or accommodation is more likely to occur when people receive new information about a person.

· Review some of your beliefs about people you know. Were these beliefs formed through assimilation, accommodation, or a combination of both? Do you think that your expectations now influence how you respond to these people?

 

Section 2: Self-concept

 

When you are asked “Who are you?”, you typically answer this question by mentally accessing your self-concept. To better understand your personal mental map, complete the Twenty Statements Test shown in your textbook (e.g. I am (please fill in the blank) ______________).

 

On a piece of paper or in a Word file, list 20 words that describe you.

 

Next, organize these self-descriptions into an image that somehow represents you such as a word cloud, a word collage, or other visual representation of yourself. Create this image on a computer or by hand. (If you create the image by hand, take a picture of yourself with the creation to upload for your instructor.)

 

Below your image, address the following questions:

· What are the most important aspects of your self-concept in the image you created, and how do those aspects influence your behavior?

· How does the self-concept develop and change over time?

· Consider people you know in terms of self-complexity. Some people have complex self-concepts and some have simple self-concepts. What effects do these differences seem to have on their feelings and behavior?

· How are your thoughts, feelings, and behavior influenced by your private and public self-consciousness?