Understanding Social Psychology Across Cultures

by Smith, Peter B.; Fischer, Ronald; Vignoles, Vivian L.; Bond, Michael Harris

• ISBN13: 9781446267110
• ISBN10: 1446267113
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2013-09-19
• Publisher: Sage Pubns Ltd

Summary

Updated and revised to include recent developments in cross-cultural psychology, the 2nd edition of Social Psychology Across Cultures provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to classic perspectives and introduces cutting edge research on culture, discussed in terms of its implications for contemporary global issues such as migration, international development, ethnic conflict, climate change and sustainability. The book starts by asking the question: why does social psychology need a cross-cultural perspective? It then follows to examine cultural differences as well as the origins and dynamics of different cultures before addressing traditional social psychological themes within cross-cultural contexts, for example group processes, self and identity, intergroup relations. Key features - Extensive coverage of social psychological theories and how these relate to cross-cultural research - A presentation of concepts and theories made accessible to the reader using practical examples and everyday life experiences from diverse parts of the world - Biographical portraits of key researchers in the field - A thorough exposition of the appropriate methods for conducting state-of-the-art cross-cultural research The authors each have considerable, combined experience of living and working in different cultural contexts. At the same time, as highly experienced scholars at the intersection of social and cross-cultural psychology, they are able to articulate a vision in this book of how the two communities of social psychology and cross-cultural psychology need to be integrated more to shed light on understanding social behaviour in an enhanced multi-cultural world and in helping to understand global phenomena of paramount importance to communities everywhere. This textbook is appropriate for advanced undergraduate courses and graduate programs in social and cross-cultural psychology. It will also interest students wanting to understand the impact of culture on their fields of work, such as international relations, social policy, health promotion, ethnic relations and international business.