Questions and Answers
What is a major challenge in making sense of the social world?
What does Arie Kruglanski's theory of lay epistemology emphasize?
The choice of when to stop thinking and reach a conclusion.
What is the need for accurate knowledge often active?
What can trigger the need for nonspecific closure?
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What can activate the need for specific closure?
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How do personality traits influence thinking motives?
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Study Notes
The Challenges of Social Cognition
- Navigating social information is difficult due to the overwhelming volume of data available at any moment.
- Example scenario: Choosing a movie on Netflix can be paralyzing due to the variety of titles and the need to consider personal preferences and social dynamics.
Arie Kruglanski's Theory of Lay Epistemology
- Kruglanski's theory outlines three key motives that determine how and when we conclude our thinking:
- The Need for Accurate Knowledge
- The Need for Nonspecific Closure
- The Need for Specific Closure
The Need for Accurate Knowledge
- This motive is heightened in situations where incorrect judgments may lead to negative personal consequences.
- Example: Choosing a movie that reflects personal taste to avoid embarrassment or making informed voting decisions during elections based on candidate positions about war and peace.
The Need for Nonspecific Closure
- This motive takes precedence in situations requiring significant mental effort or under stress.
- People may opt for quicker decisions, such as choosing the first recommended movie, when feeling time-constrained or overwhelmed.
The Need for Specific Closure
- Comes into play when personal beliefs and values are challenged or when they are integral to one’s identity.
- Example: Strong political beliefs may drive individuals to advocate for military action despite opposing evidence, prioritizing alignment with their values over seeking accurate information.
Influence of Personality Traits
- Individual personality traits impact which motive predominates in decision-making.
- Some individuals may have a higher need for nonspecific closure, preferring simplified, definitive knowledge to reduce cognitive strain.
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Description
Dive into Chapter 3 of Social Psychology, exploring the motives behind social cognition. This quiz focuses on understanding the challenges posed by the vast amount of information we encounter daily and how that influences our thinking. Prepare to enhance your grasp of social cognition concepts.
