If we want to understand people’s responses to threats in social interactions we can distinguish between three levels of analysis: On a social level of analysis we can describe people’s interpersonal behavior, on a cognitive level we can identify corresponding information processing mechanisms, and on a neural level we can specify neural systems, which underlie these processes. In this Research Topic we want to present research connecting these three levels of analysis and propose their functional interconnection in social interaction. We propose that threats in social interactions activate basic motivational processes, which manifest in neural processes related to behavioral inhibition vs. activation in a social situation. This shapes our attention to new information, and affects our cognitions about social identities, belief systems and worldviews. These changes in social cognition in turn affect people’s behavior in social interactions and lead to corresponding reactions on behalf of the interaction partner. Thus, we assume that people’s reactions to threat in interactions can be described as sequences of broader attentional processes resulting from basic motivational tendencies leading to specific social cognitions and subsequent behavior within social interactions. We can analyze this sequence in order to contribute to a better understanding of social interactions. The three levels of analyses (social, cognitive, neural) shed light on social interactions from different angles: On the social level we can analyze how the behaviors of the interaction partners mutually affect each other and how this is accompanied by specific cognitive, emotional and motivational processes. On the cognitive level we can analyze people’s perception of a social situation leading to attentional and reasoning processes with regard to their interaction partner/s, which may be accompanied by certain emotional and motivational processes and determines the behavior towards the partner/s. Finally, we can focus on the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive, emotional, and motivational processes in social interactions.

F we want to understand people's responses to threats in social interactions we can distinguish between three levels of analysis:On a social level of analysis we can describe people's interpersonal behavior, on a cognitive level we can identify corresponding information processing mechanisms, and on a neural level we can specify neural systems, which underlie these processes.In this Research Topic we want to present research connecting these three levels of analysis and propose their functional interconnection in social interaction.We propose that threats in social interactions activate basic motivational processes, which manifest in neural processes related to behavioral inhibition vs. activation in a social situation. This shapes our attention to new information, and affects our cognitions about social identities, belief systems and worldviews. These changes in social cognition in turn affect people's behavior in social interactions and lead to corresponding reactions on behalf of the interaction partner. Thus, we assume that people's reactions to threat in interactions can be described as sequences of broader attentional processes resulting from basic motivational tendencies leading to specific social cognitions and subsequent behavior within social interactions. We can analyze this sequence in order to contribute to a better understanding of social interactions.The three levels of analyses (social, cognitive, neural) shed light on social interactions from different angles:On the social level we can analyze how the behaviors of the interaction partners mutually affect each other and how this is accompanied by specific cognitive, emotional and motivational processes. On the cognitive level we can analyze people's perception of a social situation leading to attentional and reasoning processes with regard to their interaction partner/s, which may be accompanied by certain emotional and motivational processes and determines the behavior towards the partner/s. Finally, we can focus on the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive, emotional, and motivational processes in social interactions.

Handbook of Terror Management Theory provides an overview of Terror Management Theory (TMT), including critical research derived from the theory, recent research that has expanded and refined the theory, and the many ways the theory has been utilized to understand domains of human social life. The book uses TMT as a lens to help understand human relationships to nature, cultural worldviews, the self, time, the body, attachment, group identification, religion and faith, creativity, personal growth, and the brain. The first section reviews theoretical and methodological issues, the second focuses on basic research showing how TMT enhances our understanding of a wide range of phenomena, and the third section, Applications, uses TMT to solve a variety of real world problems across different disciplines and contexts, including health behavior, aging, psychopathology, terrorism, consumerism, the legal system, art and media, risk-taking, and communication theory. - Examines the three critical hypotheses behind Terror Management Theory (TMT) - Distinguishes proximal and distal responses to death-thoughts - Provides a practical toolbox for conducting TMT research - Covers the Terror Management Health Model - Discusses the neuroscience of fear and anxiety - Identifies how fear motivates consumer behavior - Relates fear of death to psychopathologies

This book presents Perception Coaching® as a model that enables coaches to support their clients in understanding the impact of their attitudes in themselves, helping individuals, teams, and organizations reduce their inherent biases to more effectively collaborate, innovate, and support each other. Dr. Bengtson approaches coaching through the lens of educational psychology in three parts, starting with understanding self and others, moving on to interactions and teams, and finally culture and organizations. Filled with strategies throughout, the book focuses on examining natural patterns of thinking and acting to uncover perceptual filters so that the unexamined and unexplained may be brought to light and understood. Covering topics such as emotional intelligence and communication styles, the book aims to help coaches support their clients pursue purpose, increase inclusion, and create innovation. This book is invaluable reading for current and aspiring coaches and non-profit and corporate leaders, as well as talent development professionals.

Building on pioneering animal studies, and making use of new, noninvasive techniques for studying the human brain, research on the human amygdala has blossomed in recent years. This comprehensive volume brings together leading authorities to synthesize current knowledge on the amygdala and its role in psychological function and dysfunction. Initial chapters discuss how animal models have paved the way for work with human subjects. Next, the book examines the amygdala's involvement in emotional processing, learning, memory, and social interaction. The final section presents key advances in understanding specific clinical disorders: anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia, autism, and Alzheimer's disease. Illustrations include more than 25 color plates.

Sample Text

This handbook lays out the science behind how animals think, remember, create, calculate, and remember. It provides concise overviews on major areas of study such as animal communication and language, memory and recall, social cognition, social learning and teaching, numerical and quantitative abilities, as well as innovation and problem solving. The chapters also explore more nuanced topics in greater detail, showing how the research was conducted and how it can be used for further study. The authors range from academics working in renowned university departments to those from research institutions and practitioners in zoos. The volume encompasses a wide variety of species, ensuring the breadth of the field is explored.

The Psychology of Learning and Motivation, Volume 71, the latest release in the series, features empirical and theoretical contributions in cognitive and experimental psychology, ranging from classical and instrumental conditioning to complex learning and problem-solving. New to this volume are chapters covering Automating adaptive control with item-specific learning, Cognition and voting: Generalizing from the laboratory to the real-world voting booth, Protracted perceptual development of auditory pattern structure, Understanding alcohol reward in social context, Perceptual and Mnemonic Differences across Cultures, Aging, Cognitive Reserve and the Healthy Brain, Aging, context processing, and comprehension, and more. - Presents the latest information in the highly regarded Psychology of Learning and Motivation series - Provides an essential reference for researchers and academics in cognitive science - Contains information relevant to both applied concerns and basic research

Psychological Reactance: A Theory of Freedom and Control provides information pertinent to the fundamental aspects of reactance theory. This book discusses a number of special topic areas to which the reactance theory seems especially relevant. Organized into five parts encompassing 17 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the relationship between freedom and perceived freedom as conceived by reactance theory. This text then describes the clinical applications, societal problem solutions, and power relations in the real world. Other chapters consider the developmental aspects of reactance. This book discusses as well the reactance theory in a wider theoretical context by examining impression management formulations of the theory and by comparing reactance to other theoretical models whereby the notion of control plays a major role. The final chapter deals with the role of cognitive processes in association with reactance in attitude change phenomena. This book is a valuable resource for social psychologists.