social schema

A social schema is a mental framework that helps people understand and interpret social information and interactions. It organizes knowledge about social concepts, such as people, events, and relationships, based on past experiences and cultural norms. For example, when meeting someone new, we might use existing knowledge about similar individuals to form expectations about their behavior. Social schemas help us navigate complex social environments but can also lead to stereotypes if they oversimplify or misrepresent individuals. Essentially, they shape how we perceive and react to social situations.