Social Psychology

by Brehm, Sharon S.

• ISBN13: 9780618487561
• ISBN10: 0618487565
• Edition: 6th
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

The most up-to-date account of social psychology, this text introduces key concepts through balanced coverage of classic studies, contemporary research, and current social issues. The authors bring vivid examples to reflect social psychology concepts in real life. The use of current events, social issues, and evocative photographs makes the text more compelling to students by helping them relate concepts to their own lives and to see the world through the eyes of a social psychologist. Increased coverage of cross-cultural research and sociocultural perspectives includes studies of sexual orientation, ostracism, Milgram in the 21st century, and social relations over the Internet. These viewpoints are examined through topics such as the social self, personal and group perception of attitudes, conformity and obedience, interpersonal behavior, and group influences. The authors relate current references throughout the text--such as 9/11 and its aftermath, the Supreme Court's 2003 ruling on affirmative action, and the "celebrity" trials of Martha Stewart and Kobe Bryant--directly to social psychology. Icons in the text reference video footage available on the new Houghton Mifflin Social Psych in Film DVD/VHS (for instructors) and video stills on the student CD-ROM. Expanded coverage of the use of social neuroscience techniques includes brain imaging techniques to explore social psychology questions.

Table of Contents

Reader

Note: Each chapter concludes with a Review and Key Terms

Beginning with Chapter Three, each chapter opens with Putting Common Sense to the Test, a set of true-false questions designed to assess the student's intuitive beliefs about material later contained in that chapter

The answers to these questions are revealed in a marginal box after the topic is presented in the text, with a more detailed explanation of the answers appearing in the Review section at the back of each chapter

The Common Sense feature is also presented as an interactive exercise on the Student CD-ROM, to further reinforce the student's understanding of the text material

Introduction What Is Social Psychology?

From Past to Present

A Brief History of Social Psychology Social Psychology in a New Century

Doing Social Psychology Research Why Should You Learn About Research Methods?

Developing Ideas

Beginning the Research Process Refining Ideas

Defining and Measuring Social Psychological Variables Testing Ideas

Research Designs Ethics and Values in Social Psychology

Social Perception

The Social Self The Self-Concept Self-Esteem Self-Presentation Epilogue

The Multifaceted Self

Perceiving Persons Observation

The Elements of Social Perception Attribution

From Elements to Dispositions Integration

From Dispositions to Impressions Confirmation Biases

From Impressions to Reality Social Perception

The Bottom Line

Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination Stereotypes Prejudice Sexism Racism A Threat in the Air

Effects on Stigmatized Targets Reducing Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination

Social Influence

Attitudes The Study of Attitudes Persuasion by Communication Persuasion by Our Own Actions

Conformity Social Influence as "Automatic" Conformity Compliance Obedience The Continuum of Social Influence

Group Processes Collective Processes

The Presence of Others Group Processes

Interacting with Others Cooperation, Competition, and Conflict

Responding to Differences

Social Relations

Attraction and Close Relationships Being with Others

A Fundamental Human Motive The Initial Attraction Close Relationships

Helping Others Evolutionary and Motivational Factors

Why Do People Help?

Situational Influences

When Do People Help?

Personal Influences

Who Is Likely to Help?

Interpersonal Influences

Whom Do People Help?

Reactions to Receiving Help The Helping Connection

Aggression What Is Aggression?

Cultural and Gender Differences Origins of Aggression Situational Influences on Aggression Media Effects

Scenes of Violence Intimate Violence

Trust Betrayed Reducing Violence

Applying Social Psychology

Law Jury Selection The Courtroom Drama Jury Deliberation Posttrial

To Prison and Beyond Justice

A Matter of Procedure?

Closing Statement

Business Personnel Selection Performance Appraisals Leadership Motivation Economic Decision Making

Health Stress and Health What Causes Stress?

How Does Stress Affect the Body?

Processes of Appraisal Ways of Coping with Stress Treatment and Prevention The Pursuit of Happiness

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