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Automatic (spontaneous) propositional and associative learning of first impressions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 April 2009

James S. Uleman
James S. Uleman
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY 10003. [email protected]://www.psych.nyu.edu/uleman
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Abstract

Contrary to the target article's claims, social cognition research shows considerable learning (about other people) that is relatively automatic. Some of this learning is propositional (spontaneous trait inferences) and some is associative (spontaneous trait transference). Other dichotomies – for example, between learning explicit and implicit attitudes – are also important. However conceived, human conditioning is not synonymous with human learning.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 32 , Issue 2 , April 2009 , pp. 227 - 228
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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