Introduction to Social Cognition: The Essential Questions and Ideas, Book

Why are first impressions so powerful? How do we “know” what others are like when
we cannot read their minds? How can scientists measure biases that people do not
want to admit - or do not know they have? This engaging text delves into social
cognition by exploring major questions in the field through an everyday lens. Students
are introduced to core concepts and processes pertaining to how people come to know
themselves and understand the behavior of others. Classic and contemporary findings
and experimental methods are explained. The text connects the research to pressing
contemporary problems - the roots of political polarization, why even rational people
fall prey to misinformation, and the best ways to reduce prejudice. Boxed definitions of
key terms are included throughout.

•The first undergraduate text on social cognition.
•From a leading scholar and researcher.
•Addresses core topics like first impressions, implicit bias, prejudice, how people
change their minds, and more.
•Chapters are organized around broad questions at the heart of human behavior,
enhancing the book's appeal to students.