Social perception

Social perception is a field within social psychology and neuroscience that denotes the process by which people interpret and infer information about others’ emotions, intentions, and social roles based on observable cues such as facial expressions, body language, gaze, verbalized content, and situational context[1][3]. It is a multi-step process involving observation, attribution, integration, and confirmation based on available behavioral and contextual data[1]. Neurobiologically, it involves neural circuits—especially the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS)—that interpret social stimuli, and deficits in these systems are implicated in conditions like autism[3][7][8]. Social perception itself is not a druggable molecular entity but rather an emergent psychological process supported by—but distinct from—underlying neural substrates. Social perception is not a molecule, protein, gene, or receptor and thus cannot be directly targeted by drugs[1][3][8]. While various neurotransmitter systems (such as oxytocin, vasopressin, dopamine, serotonin) modulate aspects of social cognition, "social perception" itself is a *psychological* construct, not a canonical drug target[4]. Social perception is not suitable as a canonical name for a molecular target. It is best classified as a psychological process supported by neural systems and numerous molecular factors, but not as a direct molecular target or receptor.

Other names

interpersonal perception