A Newer Look: Motivated Social Cognition and the Schematic Representation of Social Concepts

Abstract

In this article, I argue that the basic building blocks of social cognition, the schemata people possess of social traits and concepts, are shaped by motivations to retain flattering images of the self. As such, motivational influences on social cognition are more subtle and pervasive than usually acknowledged in the social cognitive literature. 1 review research showing that people possess serf-Pattering schemata of social concepts. I describe experimental work demonstrating that it is, indeed, the motivation to maintain self-worth prompting the self-serving nature of these schemata, detailing how these studies withstand the usual cognitive reinterpretations offered for motivational findings. Finally, I suggest that the field of social cognition reconsider the issues and insights of the New Look tradition, which concerned itself first and foremost with how people reconciled incoming social information with the perceiver's goals, wishes, fears, and desires.