Social psychology is a flourishing discipline. It explores the most essential questions of the human psyche (e.g., Why do people help or harm others? How do influence professionals get us to do what they want, and how can we inoculate ourselves against their sometimes-insidious persuasion tactics? Why do social relationships exert such powerful effects on people's physical health?), and it does so with clever, ingenuitive research methods. This edited volume is a textbook for advanced social psychology courses. Its primary target audience is first-year graduate students (MA or PhD) in social psychlogy, although it is also appropriate for upper-level undergraduate courses in social psychology and for doctoral students in disciplines connecting to social psychology (e.g., marketing, organizational behavior). The authors of the chapters are world-renowned leaders on their topic, and they have written these chapters to be engaging and accessible to students who are just learning the discipline. After reading this book, you will be able to understand almost any journal article or conference presentation in any field of social psychology. You will be able to converse competently with most social psychologists in their primary research domain, a use skill that is relevant not only in daily life but also when interviewing for a faculty position. And, most importantly, you will be equipped with the background knowledge to forge ahead more confidently with your own research.

Unlike other texts for undergraduate sociological social psychology courses, this text presents the three distinct traditions in sociological social psychology—symbolic interactionism, social structure and personality, and group processes and structures—and emphasizes the different theoretical frameworks within which social psychological analyses are conducted within each research tradition. With this approach, the authors make clear the link between sociological social psychology, theory, and methodology. Students will gain a better understanding of how and why social psychologists trained in sociology ask particular kinds of questions; the types of research they are involved in; and how their findings have been, or can be, applied to contemporary societal patterns and problems. This new, second edition includes the latest research on topics related to current events and changing societal patterns; more detailed discussions on intersectionality, social media, and contemporary social movements; as well as a new concluding chapter that asks students to reflect on what they have learned about sociological social psychology and its applicability to contemporary social issues. Engaging exercises and group activities are also embedded within in each chapter to enhance students’ understanding of key concepts, theories, methods and research findings within the field and how they relate to everyday life.

Social psychology explores some of the most important questions we face as people: how do we create and understand the social self? How does our 'social mind' influence the volition and content of thoughts and behaviour? How do we relate to other individuals and groups and the myriad forms and processes of social influence? In a jargon-free and accessible manner, Social Psychology: The Basics critically examines these fundamental principles of social psychology, and provides a thorough overview of this fascinating area. Discussing the theory and science behind our understanding of how people relate to others, this book explores how we understand ourselves and others, how we relate at an individual and group level, the key processes underpinning social influence and the ways the discipline has evolved (and continues to evolve). It also looks at how the application of social psychology makes important differences in the real world. Highlighting key issues, controversies and applications, including case studies, questions, and biographies of important figures in the discipline, this is the essential introduction for students at undergraduate, A-level and high school levels who are approaching social psychology for the first time.

Psychology, focusing on processes that occur inside the individual and Sociology, focusing on social collectives and social institutions, come together in Social Psychology to explore the interface between the two fields. The core concerns of social psychology include the impact of one individual on another; the impact of a group on its individual members; the impact of individuals on the groups in which they participate; the impact of one group on another. This book is a successor to Social Psychology: Social Perspectives and Sociological Perspectives in Social Psychology. The current text expands on previous handbooks in social psychology by including recent developments in theory and research and comprehensive coverage of significant theoretical perspectives.

The first volume in this innovative two-volume set provides a comprehensive exploration of the major developments of social psychological theories that have taken place over the past half century, culminating in a state of the art overview of the primary theories and models that have been developed in this vast and fascinating field. Volume One covers Biological/Evolutionary Level of Analysis, Cognitive Level of Analysis, Content Model and Motivational and Affective Level of Analysis. Authored by leading international experts, each chapter represents a personal and historical narrative of the theory’s development including the inspirations, critical junctures, and problem-solving efforts that effected theoretical choices and determined the theory’s impact and its evolution. Unique to this handbook, these narratives provide a rich background for understanding how theories are created, nurtured, and shaped over time, and examining their unique contribution to the field as a whole. To examine its societal impact, each theory is evaluated in terms of its applicability to better understanding and solving critical social issues and problems. The Handbook of Theories of Social Psychology, Volume One is an essential resource for researchers and students of social psychology and related disciplines.

Using an engaging narrative, this textbook demonstrates how social processes are inherently interconnected by uniquely applying underlying and unifying principles throughout the text. With its comprehensive coverage of classic and contemporary research—illustrated with real-world examples from many disciplines, including medicine, law, and education—Social Psychology 4th Edition connects theory and application, providing undergraduate students with a deeper and more holistic understanding of the factors that influence social behaviors. New to the 4th Edition: Each chapter now features 1-2 "culture" boxes, focusing on cross-cultural research on social psychological phenomena. Each chapter now features 1-2 "hot topic" boxes, where we highlight cutting edge and emerging findings. Many references updated throughout, with over 700 new references. A more comprehensive and user-friendly set of online supplementary resources will accompany the new edition. New co-author Heather Claypool of Miami University of Ohio.