Impression formation, the process by which we understand others by inferring their traits, goals, and preferences, is a multimodal process deeply rooted in various learning mechanisms. New research in 2025 emphasizes that this process relies on multiple underlying memory systems, offering a fresh perspective on how we perceive and interact with others.
This framework explores the roles of episodic, semantic, instrumental, and Pavlovian memory systems in both forming and updating our impressions. By examining the unique and interactive functions of learning and memory, a new understanding emerges. This framework expands and clarifies how impressions are formed, changed, and expressed, moving beyond traditional semantic memory models.
The memory systems framework also sheds light on ongoing discussions about implicit social cognition and how social information is represented in the mind. This emerging research continues to refine our understanding of the complex processes involved in impression formation.