Interpersonal Behavior, Essay Example

Explain how metacognition and social cognition influence interpersonal behavior

Social Cognition, as described by Fisk and Taylor (1991), is how ordinary people think about people and how they think about themselves, while metacognition, according to Petty and Brinol et al (2007), refers to second order thought, or thoughts about thoughts or the thought process (Fisk, Taylor, 1999, Petty, Brinol et al, 2007).

These two concepts working in tandem can therefore play significant roles in influencing interpersonal behaviors among individuals in societies globally.

According to James (1890), thinking is doing, and cognition follows from individuals setting goals, which varies with their social situations, and as they interact, decisions will be made base on experience, learning, and feedbacks, as well as knowledge, to determine the best courses of actions that will have to be taken to meet their desired goals (James, W. 1890).

Padilla and Perez (2002), cites the case of immigrants in cultural transitions, where they are challenged to cope with new societal pressures and standards, and have to make sense  and decide by what means they are going to integrate themselves with the cultures of their adopted countries (Padilla, Perez, 2002).

In order for individuals to reach the point in the cognitive process, where they decide on a coursesof actions they will pursue relating to societal challenges, they must conform to an aspect of the Social Cognitive Theory, which according to Luszczynska and Schwarzer, (2003), states that behavioral changes are made possible by people having a sense of control (Luszczynska, A., Schwarzer, R. 2003).

This control comes as a result of these individuals believing that they can take actions to solve the problems faced, and becoming committed to do so by means of the decisions taken, according to Luszczynska, A., Schwarzer (2003).

Meta cognition aids in the interpersonal behavior of individuals, according to Tavris and Wade (1997), because after a periods of learning and observations, they will develop knowledge or awareness of their own cognitive processes, and use them to achieve appropriate solutions to the different propositions faced (Tavris, C. Wade, C. 1988).

The presence of meta cognitive skills in these individuals will empower them according to Tavris and Wade (1997), to realize they are facing challenging situations and manifest intelligent behaviors to effect requisite solutions (Tavris, Wade, 1988).

Being knowledgeable about themselves is only one aspect of the cognitive process, according to Jost, Kruglanski, and Nelson, (1988), and Wright, (2002), that individuals need to successfully interrelate within society, because the mental states, thought processes and beliefs of others plays significant roles in the process, and should be understood  simultaneously (Jost, Kruglanski, and Nelson, (1988), and Wright, (2002).

Meta cognition demands that individuals, according to Gollwitzer and Schaal (1988), engage in three levels of thinking, namely strategy, operational planning, and tactics- a philosophy developed by Sun Tsu 500B.C/1996, in order to successfully influence their desired outcomes (Gollwitzer, Schaal, 1988).

Strategy deals with defining the end states and goals, while operating planning process which is the medium level of the thought process where individuals decide when, where, and how they are going to engage their goal directed behavior, and tactics relates to the daily activities that will be executed to ensure the challenges are met successfully (Gollwitzer, Schaal, 1988).

Greenwald and Manaji(1995), contributes to influencing process by stating that the identifying feature of implicit social cognition was that past experiences affects judgment in manner that are not know introspectively by the individuals acting in those situations (Greenwald, A.G. Manaji, M.R. 1995).

Military, political and profit and non-profit business organizations leaders specializes in this aspect ofthe cognitive thought processing regularly, as they seek to influence interpersonal behavior among their ranks while seeking to achieve specific goals and objectives, and gain competitive advantages.

Another crucial component of the process is personal self efficacy, which Bandura (1994), describe as the convictions that that individuals have they can successfully accomplish the goals they have originally set (Bandura, A. 1994).

This skill however, does not develop overnight and impact on the interpersonal behavior of individuals, but according to Bandura (1994), is acquired from; (a) experiences in mastering skills and overcoming obstacles on the path to achievements, (b) by vicarious experiences provided by successful and competent people seen as models, (c) from encouragement and persuasion from others, and (d) judgment based on personal psychological states (Bandura, A. 1994).

Bandura (1977), also went further to emphasize the importance of personal self-efficacy, when he describes it as being associated with how people feel, think and act; with a low sense of it indicating the possible presence of depression, anxiety, and helplessness, while a strong presence often lead people to achieve better social integrations (Bandura, 1977).

Maddux (1995),and Bandura (1977) shares jointly the view that a strong sense of competence among individuals and leaders in will facilitate the cognitive processes and enhance inter personal behaviors in diverse settings, inclusive of decision makings, goal settings and academic achievement (Maddux, 1995, Bandura, 1977).

Meta cognition or being aware of one cognitive systems as well as being able to use it, and social cognition; which is largely a perceptive operation both internally and environmentally, therefore will both work in tandem,  to constantly influence interpersonal behaviors at all levels of society, where goals like socialization, acculturation. profit making, maintaining discipline, building team spirit, settling disputes, devising strategies, overcoming depression, and others issues are being pursued by businesses, individuals, communities, and other entities.

Reference

Fisk, S.T., Taylor, S.E. (1991). Social Cognition 2nd edition McGraw-Hill New YorkPrint

Petty, R.E., Brinol, P., et al (2007). Persuasion www.uam.es/otros/persuasion/papers/2007/chapter%20handbook%metacognition.pdf , 07/31/11 Web

Padilla, A. M.,Perez, W., (2003). Acculturation Social Identity, and Social Cognition: A New Perspectives Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences Vol.25 No.1 Sage Publications pp.35-55Print

Tavris, C., Wade, C. (1997). Psychology in Perspectives Longman , New York NY p.394  Print

Bandura, A. (1994). Self-efficacy Encyclopedia of Human Behavior Vol. 4 Academic Press Orlando, Fl  Print

James, W., (1890). The Principles of Psychology  Harvard University Press Cambridge, MA pp.22-26 Print

Jost, J.T., Kruglanski, A. W., Nelson, T.O., (1988). Meta Cognition-An Expansionist Review Sage Journal Online http://psr.sagepub.com/content/2/2/137.abstract , 07/31/11 Web

Bandura, A. (1990). Self-Regulation of Motivation  Through Goal Systems Nebraska Symposium on Motivation (R.A. Dienstbier (ed.)  University of Nebraska Lincoln Ne Print

Bandura, A. (1977). Self –efficacy: Toward A Unifying Theory of Behavioral Change  Psychological Review Vol.84 No.2  pp.191-195 www.emory.edu/mfp/bandura1977PR.pdf , 07/32/11

Gollwitzer, P. M., Schaal, B. (1998).Metacognition In Action: The Importance of Implementation Intentions  Personality and Social Psychology Review 1988 Vol.2 No.2 pp.124-136 Retrieved from: www.psych.nyu.edu/gollwitzer/98/gollschall_metacognition.pdf , 07/31/11 Web

Greenwald, A.G., Banaji, M.R., (1995). Implicit Social Cognition Psychological Review Vol.102  pp. 4-27 www.psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa…  07/31/11 Web

Maddux, J.E., (1995). Self-efficacy, Adaptation, And Adjustment: Theory, Research, And Application ThePlenium Series In Social/Clinical Psychology Plenium Press, New York, NY pp. xvii, 3-33, 395.  Print