Social cognition: Thinking categorically about others

In attempting to make sense of other people, perceivers regularly construct and use categorical representations to simplify and streamline the person perception process. Noting the importance of categorical thinking in everyd ay life, our emphasis in this chapter is on the cognitive dynamics of categ orical social perception. In reviewing current research on this topic, thre e specific issues are addressed: (a) When are social categories activated b y perceivers, (b) what are the typical consequences of category activation, and (c) can perceivers control the influence and expression of categorical thinking? Throughout the chapter, we consider how integrative models of co gnitive functioning may inform our understanding of categorical social perc eption.