Attention and Perception in Social Cognition

Abstract

Attention and perception form the underlying pivots around which social interactions function. This chapter explores the crucial roles of attention and perception in various clinical conditions by delving into how impairments in these domains affect individuals with conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), prosopagnosia, and schizophrenia. The author discusses various theoretical models such as the theory of mind (ToM), and attribution theory among others that inform one's understanding of the clinical applications of attention and perception within social cognition highlighting the importance of tailored rehabilitative programs. The author also gives examples of five-session, attention-focused, and perception-focused rehabilitative plans for various clinical conditions. Future research into the neural mechanisms and interactions between attention, perception, and higher-order functions offers potential for more effective treatments.