Social information processing

Abstract: Research on the relation between social information processing and social adjustment in childhood is reviewed and interpreted within the framework of a reformulated model of human performance and social exchange. This reformulation proves to assimilate almost all previous studies and is a useful heuristic device for organizing the field. The review suggests that overwhelming evidence supports the empirical relation between characteristic processing styles and children's social adjustment, with some aspects of processing (e.g., hostile attributional biases, intention cue detection accuracy, response access patterns, and evaluation of response outcomes) likely to be causal of behaviors that lead to social status and other aspects (e.g., perceived self-competence) likely to be responsive to peer status

Abstract: This article outlines a social information processing approach to explain job attitudes. In comparison with need-satisfaction and expectancy models to job attitudes and motivation, the social information processing perspective emphasizes the effects of context and the consequences of past choices, rather than individual predispositions and rational decision-making processes. When an individual develops statements about attitude or needs, he or she uses social information--information about past behavior and about what others think. The process of attributing attitudes or needs from behavior is itself affected by commitment processes, by the saliency and relevance of information, and by the need to develop socially acceptable and legitimate rationalizations for actions. Both attitudes and need statements, as well as characterizations of jobs, are affected by informational social influence. The implications of the social information processing perspective for organization development efforts and programs of job redesign are discussed.

Abstract: While computer-mediated communication use and research are proliferating rapidly, findings offer contrasting images regarding the interpersonal character of this technology. Research trends over the history of these media are reviewed with observations across trends suggested so as to provide integrative principles with which to apply media to different circumstances. First, the notion that the media reduce personal influences—their impersonal effects—is reviewed. Newer theories and research are noted explaining normative “interpersonal” uses of the media. From this vantage point, recognizing that impersonal communication is sometimes advantageous, strategies for the intentional depersonalization of media use are inferred, with implications for Group Decision Support Systems effects. Additionally, recognizing that media sometimes facilitate communication that surpasses normal interpersonal levels, a new perspective on “hyperpersonal” communication is introduced. Subprocesses are discussed pertaining to re...

Abstract: Contents: Volume 1: Basic Processes. T.M. Ostrom, Foreword. J.A. Bargh, The Four Horsemen of Automaticity: Awareness, Intention, Efficiency, and Control in Social Cognition. R.S. Wyer, Jr., D.E. Carlston, The Cognitive Representation of Persons and Events. E.R. Smith, Procedural Knowledge and Processing Strategies in Social Cognition. J.F. Kihlstrom, S.B. Klein, The Self as a Knowledge Structure. D.R. Beike, S.J. Sherman, Social Inference: Inductions, Deductions, and Analogies. F. Strack, Response Processes in Social Judgment. G.L. Clore, N. Schwarz, M. Conway, Affective Causes and Consequences of Social Information Processing. Volume 2: Applications. T.M. Ostrom, Foreword. D.L. Hamilton, J.W. Sherman, Stereotypes. R.E. Petty, J.R. Priester, D.T. Wegener, Cognitive Processes in Attitude Change. S. Iyengar, V. Ottati, Cognitive Perspective in Political Psychology. M.S. Clark, V.S. Helgeson, K. Mickelson, S.P. Pataki, Some Cognitive Structures and Processes Relevant to Relationship Functioning. L.F. Clark, Social Cognition and Health Psychology. G. Weary, J.A. Edwards, Social Cognition and Clinical Psychology: Anxiety, Depression, and the Processing of Social Information. J.M. Feldman, On the Synergy Between Theory and Application: Social Cognition and Performance Appraisal. F.R. Kardes, Consumer Judgment and Decision Processes.