Dual-process Theories in Social Psychology

This comprehensive volume offers the first systematic examination of dual-process theories in social psychology, mapping the landscape of how we process information through distinct cognitive pathways. The book distinguishes between fundamentally different processing modes—associative versus rule-based thinking, automatic versus controlled responses, and emotional versus analytical approaches to decision-making. Leading experts in the field contribute to this foundational work, establishing the core principles that would shape decades of psychological research on human cognition and social judgment.

What makes this collection particularly valuable is its thorough exploration of how these dual-process frameworks apply across various domains of social psychology, from attitude formation to problem-solving strategies. The volume serves as both an essential primer for understanding automatic versus deliberate thought processes and a sophisticated resource for researchers studying cognitive mechanisms in social contexts. Readers interested in the architecture of human reasoning will find this work indispensable for grasping how our minds navigate complex social environments through these competing yet complementary systems.