Social cognition Cross-race effect

1 social cognition

1.1 cognitive disregard
1.2 depth of processing hypothesis
1.3 challenges social cognition models

social cognition

research has shown people tend think more categorically outgroup members , more individually ingroup members. example, outgroup members may associate specific facial features particular race or ethnicity, , not notice subtle variations in skin tone, eye color, or hair texture ingroup members recognize. categorical thinking happens more consistently outgroup participants while individuation exact opposite. these different views between outgroup , ingroup members have been known bias conceptual cognitive processes , show cross-race effect has less race different levels of cognitive processing occur ingroup , outgroup members.

cognitive disregard

another set of cognitive theories related cross-race effect focuses on how social categorizaion , individuation biases face memory. researchers believe inability ingroup members recognize differences in features of outgroup members can explained through cognitive disregard. find likelihood of falsely identifying member of out-group stems automatic encoding of face without processing unique features. thus, when presented out-group member has similar face 1 encoded, in-group member automatically, incorrectly determines face has been seen before. these studies conclude diminishing cross race effect requires individuals process ethnically-differing faces goal of encoding individuation.

depth of processing hypothesis

depth of processing influences presence of cross race effect. same-race faces more correctly , discerned because deep processing, other-race faces are. hypothesis, however, controversial because of inability replicated within studies.

challenges social cognition models

there 2 challenges social cognition models (a) mixed evidence dealing race accessibility, face perception, , memory , (b) effects of development , training on cross-race effect. regarding mixed evidence, popular belief more exposed people of different races less affected cross-race effect. there have been studies support theory, other research has shown mixed results. example, results of studies done accessibility, in how easy or not person around people of difference races, different races manipulated, showed not affect face memory. second regarding development , training effects, because shows improvement dealing cross-race effect due exposure cross race training or experience, not direct prediction of social cognitive model. social cognitive model start explaining such effects there have evidence ingroup , outgroup distinctions occur developmentally @ exact time cross-race effect emerges in child. there evidence showing when cross-race effect first emerges, there little research directly testing onset of ingroup , outgroup recognition biases in young children.