Description

Social Psychology: Traditional and Critical Perspectives addresses the key issues in social psychology – such as prejudice, aggression, conformity, persuasion, attraction, relationships and prosocial behaviour – in a bold and innovative way. 

In addition to providing detailed coverage of classic and contemporary ‘mainstream’ research, this book engages with ‘critical’ literature – bringing to the textbook just the sort of debates that can be found in social psychology conferences, journals and specialist texts.  Furthermore, the book goes beyond merely describing research findings – it critically evaluates the research which it covers – supporting the student's own critical engagement with the literature.

Features

• Critical Recap boxes support your critical evaluation of the literature.
• Contributions and tips from Key Researchers within social psychology.
• Focus boxes used in each chapter to give you more detail about important contributions to social psychology.
• Links to real life news events used throughout the text.
• Annotated lists of useful references and websites for each chapter to support your further reading and thinking about the issues covered.

Table of Contents

1.   Introduction
2.   Self and Identity
3.   Attraction and Relationships
4.   Attribution
5.   Explanatory Talk
6.   Attitude change and Persuasion
7.   Stereotypes and Prejudice
8.   Pro-social Behaviour
9.   Aggression and Intergroup Conflict
10. Social Influence and Intragroup Processes
11. Communication and Interaction

Back Cover

'Finally a textbook of social psychology that does justice to the different strands of contemporary work.  It is very clearly written with an engaging style that brilliantly overviews a range of sometimes difficult ideas . . . sophisticated, scholarly and bang up to date.”  Professor Jonathan Potter, Loughborough University

“Exceptional in every respect.  It explores the key topics at the heart of the discipline and conveys a clear sense of how they may be conceptualised and investigated from different standpoints and perspectives.  The text brings to life the diversity and controversy in contemporary theory and research.” Dr Nicholas Hopkins, University of Dundee

 

Why do people participate in unbelievable acts of human genocide and yet also show incredible kindness regardless of the cost to themselves? Why are people both obedient and disobedient even risking their own lives in the process?

What does social psychology have to say about these issues? Moreover, should we simply learn what social psychologists have said in an uncritical way or should we question the research findings that we encounter?

Social Psychology: Traditional and Critical Perspectives addresses the key issues in social psychology – such as prejudice, aggression, conformity, persuasion, attraction, relationships and prosocial behaviour – in a bold and innovative way.  In addition to providing detailed coverage of classic and contemporary ‘mainstream’ research, this book engages with ‘critical’ literature – bringing to the textbook just the sort of debates that can be found in social psychology conferences, journals and specialist texts.

Key features of Social Psychology: Traditional and Critical Perspectives

• Critical Recap sections support your critical evaluation of the literature.
• Contributions and tips from Key Researchers within social psychology.
• Focus boxes in each chapter give you more detail about important contributions to social psychology.
• Links to real life news events used throughout the text.
• Annotated lists of useful references and websites for each chapter to support your further reading and thinking about the issues covered.

Dr Paul Dickerson is Principal Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Roehampton.

This book is supported by a companion website which provides further review questions, summaries of the key debates and podcasts. Visit the website at www.pearsoned.co.uk/dickerson

 

Author

Dr Paul Dickerson is Principal Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Roehampton.

Reader Review(s)

"This is a ground breaking text and an important marker in the history of social psychology" - Ken Gergen, Swarthmore College, USA

"This is no ordinary textbook: Dickerson brings a fresh and critical reading of social psychology’s central topics by placing readers in the box seat of both classic and new research in the discipline.  Instead of the conventional and ‘potted’ versions of classic experiments that have come to define social psychology, Dickerson brings them to life by providing nuanced detail much of which has been lost or forgotten over the years. The reader is provided with a sense of ‘being there’ in the experimental moment, an invaluable learning resource for students.  This is thoughtfully contrasted to critical and discursive approaches that challenge taken-for-granted concepts and methods." - Professor Martha Augoustinos, University of Adelaide