Communication researchers focus on a key area of study, one that affects all areas of communication, and indeed unites the field. Social cognition is the thought process that understands human and social interaction, and which produces messages, speech and social behaviour. Original contributions review or propose approaches to its study, and research its role in relationships, speech patterns, legal communication, and mass communication. "...the essays in this volume convincingly demonstrate the utility of social cognitive processes for understanding various aspects of communication...These chapters draw interesting and insightful conclusions about their subjects. The editors and authors are to be commended." -- Journal of