What aspect of social cognition involves understanding the emotions and thoughts of others?

The aspect of social cognition that specifically involves understanding the emotions and thoughts of others is best represented by empathy. Empathy refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and respond to the emotional experiences of others. It goes beyond just recognizing another person's feelings; it involves an emotional connection, enabling one to feel what another person is feeling.

Social perception, while related, focuses more on how individuals interpret and make sense of the social world, including cues from others’ behavior and social signals. Self-regulation is about one’s ability to manage their own emotions and behaviors, rather than understanding others. Social inferences involve making judgments or guesses about others’ feelings or thoughts based on observable cues, but empathy distinctly highlights the emotional resonance that accompanies understanding someone else's experience.