What does social cognition refer to in the context of an individual’s mind?

Social cognition refers to the processes by which individuals encode, process, store, and retrieve information related to social contexts. This includes understanding how we perceive others, interpret social signals, and form judgments about social situations. The focus is on the mental frameworks and cognitive processes through which we make sense of social interactions and relationships.

In this context, the encoding and processing of information are critical because they involve mechanisms such as attention, memory, and interpretation—key components in understanding how we engage with the social world. For instance, when meeting someone new, social cognition allows us to process their facial expressions, tone of voice, and other non-verbal cues to help us form an impression of who they are.

While internalizing societal roles, evaluating social norms, and learning through education all play a role in socialization, they are more specific applications or outcomes of the broader cognitive processes involved in social cognition. The correct answer highlights the fundamental cognitive operations that underpin how we interact and navigate our social environment.