1. A research-based discussion of how the self influences social cognition. What role, if any, is played by self-regulation? What factors affect a favorable self-concept in relationships? Why? (Benchmarks C3.5: Analyze cognitive processes used to understand ourselves and others.)
2. A research-based discussion of how nature and nurture influence cognitive development. How is social cognition influenced by nature and/or nurture? (Benchmarks C3.1: Critically analyze the influence of nature and nurture on cognitive development.)
3. A research-based discussion of how the self influences social attention. What grabs your attention? Why? How do verbal and non-verbal expression influence your attention?
4. A research-based discussion of how the self influences social heuristics. How does the self influence which shortcuts are preferred in a given situation?
5. A discussion of psychometrically sound measures that could be applied in a research study to explore the relationship of the self to interactions with the environment through social cognition, social attention, and social heuristics. What properties of these measures make them reasonable for use in such a research study?