Margaret Wetherell – författare

This accessible and authoritative textbook presents an engaging overview of social psychological research on groups, the development of social identity, intergroup relations and the process of making sense of social life.

Unlike other textbooks in this area, this book has a broad focus. It covers a representative mix of European and North American research, but also draws on psychoanalysis, social theory, discourse analysis and feminist writing to develop accounts of topics such as racism, social influence, group dynamics, the workplace and masculine identities. Classic studies are set alongside the most recent research in social psychology. The result is a book which is rich in ideas, interdisciplinary in nature, combative and critical.

This book has been developed as a Course Text for The Open University course Social Psychology: Personal Lives, Social Worlds (D317).

`Altogether an excellent collection for students of social policy, social care or social work, covering as it does both subjective and objective features of family life and the logics of inequality within which they are embedded' - Child and Family Social Work

This revised and updated introductory text presents an accessible, interdisciplinary account of how 'the family' is constituted in the 'public' and 'private' spheres.

Drawing in a wide range of theoretical perspectives from sociology, social policy, psychology and psychoanalysis, this book critically examines assumptions about 'the family' that are embedded in social policy, law and political discourse. The text outlines the tensions that exist between such assumptions and the lived realities and everyday experiences of family life. Understanding the Family shows how dominant understanding of the family have failed to recognize a marked diversity of family forms in contemporary society, and also ignore the complex and myriad ways in which family life comes to be experienced.

This clearly structured textbook presents a broad overview of the key issues that underpin social psychology. These include: the nature of science and `psychology as science'; descriptive, emancipatory and critical theories; and the different ways in which social psychology is applied in the social and political world.

Drawing upon a number of different perspectives, this volume will introduce students to the important debates around what constitutes valid argument and research in social psychology, its aims, scope and subject matter, and the degree to which social psychology can be said to be itself a social institution and a part of the network of social regulation and definition.

Theory and Social Psychology is one of four books which form the core of The Open University's course Social Psychology: Personal Lives, Social Worlds.

Following an introduction to key issues, the book uses eight fully piloted social psychological studies to demonstrate a wide range of methods and associated theories. Methods described include: in-depth interviews; social representations of gender in the media; experimental studies of person perception and framing of risk; structured group observations; Kelly Repgrids; interaction diaries; and survey methods.

Doing Social Psychology is one of five books which form the core of The Open University's course Social Psychology: Personal Lives, Social Worlds.

Discourse Theory and Practice is much more than a collection of key classic articles and papers in the field of discourse analysis. The aim of the book is to introduce students to the major figures in the field, and to some of their writings which, combined with the interspersed editorial commentaries, should allow students to understand the key epistemological and methodological issues of discourse theory and practice.

The Reader is organized into four coherent parts, namely: Foundations and Building Blocks; Social Interaction; Minds, Selves and Sense-Making; and Culture and Social Relations. Key readings include works by Stuart Hall, Jonathan Potter, David Silverman, Erving Goffman, Teun van Dijk, Derek Edwards and Michael Billig. Chapters introduce the student to each individual and their reading, contextualizing each in terms of their contribution to the field, theoretical standpoint and individual method of doing discourse analysis. The many didactic elements of the book make it ideal as an introduction to the study of discourse for all students of psychology, sociology, linguistics or cultural studies.

This book is a course reader for The Open University course Discourse Analysis (D843).

Discourse Theory and Practice is much more than a collection of key classic articles and papers in the field of discourse analysis. The aim of the book is to introduce students to the major figures in the field, and to some of their writings which, combined with the interspersed editorial commentaries, should allow students to understand the key epistemological and methodological issues of discourse theory and practice.

The Reader is organized into four coherent parts, namely: Foundations and Building Blocks; Social Interaction; Minds, Selves and Sense-Making; and Culture and Social Relations. Key readings include works by Stuart Hall, Jonathan Potter, David Silverman, Erving Goffman, Teun van Dijk, Derek Edwards and Michael Billig. Chapters introduce the student to each individual and their reading, contextualizing each in terms of their contribution to the field, theoretical standpoint and individual method of doing discourse analysis. The many didactic elements of the book make it ideal as an introduction to the study of discourse for all students of psychology, sociology, linguistics or cultural studies.

This book is a course reader for The Open University course Discourse Analysis (D843).

This workbook will be invaluable for students across the social sciences who need to learn how to analyze discourse. Using a step-by-step approach, students are introduced to the principal range of methods for analyzing different types of text, taken through key analytic concepts, offered specimen analyses and given the opportunity to try out analytic concepts on new data.

Discourse as Data is organized around eight chapters, six of which are related to the domains covered in the Reader, and top and tailed by two chapters which set up common methodological issues in discourse research relevant to all approaches (such as transcription and the application and the critical evaluation of discourse research).

Though the text will be a perfect companion to the simultaneously published Reader, its broad coverage, combined with didactic, practical guidance should make this important reading for any student or researcher wishing to learn more about discourse analysis.

This book will be ideal as a teaching tool, and an invaluable aid on discourse analysis courses, which have a practical content, most notably within the fields of psychology, cultural and media studies, sociology and linguistics.

This book is a course reader for The Open University course Discourse Analysis (D843).

This workbook will be invaluable for students across the social sciences who need to learn how to analyze discourse. Using a step-by-step approach, students are introduced to the principal range of methods for analyzing different types of text, taken through key analytic concepts, offered specimen analyses and given the opportunity to try out analytic concepts on new data.

Discourse as Data is organized around eight chapters, six of which are related to the domains covered in the Reader, and top and tailed by two chapters which set up common methodological issues in discourse research relevant to all approaches (such as transcription and the application and the critical evaluation of discourse research).

Though the text will be a perfect companion to the simultaneously published Reader, its broad coverage, combined with didactic, practical guidance should make this important reading for any student or researcher wishing to learn more about discourse analysis.

This book will be ideal as a teaching tool, and an invaluable aid on discourse analysis courses, which have a practical content, most notably within the fields of psychology, cultural and media studies, sociology and linguistics.

This book is a course reader for The Open University course Discourse Analysis (D843).

This book is the first systematic and accessible introduction to the theory and application of discourse analysis within the field of social psychology.

Discourse and Social Psychology includes chapters on the theoretical roots of discourse analysis in linguistic philosophy, ethnomethodology and semiotics and an overview on the perspectives of discourse analysis and its utility in studying attitudes. Five substantive chapters are concerned with the key concepts of social psychology. Finally, the authors identify future research directions and present an exhaustive bibliography of all relevant literature.

The authors draw on a wide range of examples from written and spoken discourse and avoid jargon at all times, even when introducing complex theoretical issues.

Identity, Ethnic Diversity and Community Cohesion considers these questions and explores the concept of identity and how its different meanings and interpretations impact upon community policy. The book brings together the ideas and perspectives of leading academics, policymakers, think-tank representatives, and community workers, offering a cutting-edge and interprofessional approach to the key debates.

Other key features include:

- strong links between theory, practice and policy

- up-to-date analysis of contemporary policy issues

- author commentaries, 'reflections' on key themes, and case studies that illustrate the relevance of research to 'real life'

- a leading group of editors and authors - the ESRC Identities Programme and the Runnymede Trust represent a wealth of research and policymaking experience.

This original and innovative book makes a distinctive contribution to debates about identity, ethnicity and community cohesion. It is of interest to those studying social policy, community studies, politics and sociology as well as being relevant for policymakers, researchers and those working in the public sector.

Margaret Wetherell is Professor of Social Psychology at the Open University and Director of the ESRC Identities and Social Action Programme. Michelynn Laflèche, Director of the Runnymede Trust, has headed the Trust's work programme and strategic policy direction since 2001. Robert Berkeley, a sociologist with a PhD from Trinity College, Oxford, is Deputy Director of the Runnymede Trust.

Identity, Ethnic Diversity and Community Cohesion considers these questions and explores the concept of identity and how its different meanings and interpretations impact upon community policy. The book brings together the ideas and perspectives of leading academics, policymakers, think-tank representatives, and community workers, offering a cutting-edge and interprofessional approach to the key debates.

Other key features include:

- strong links between theory, practice and policy

- up-to-date analysis of contemporary policy issues

- author commentaries, 'reflections' on key themes, and case studies that illustrate the relevance of research to 'real life'

- a leading group of editors and authors - the ESRC Identities Programme and the Runnymede Trust represent a wealth of research and policymaking experience.

This original and innovative book makes a distinctive contribution to debates about identity, ethnicity and community cohesion. It is of interest to those studying social policy, community studies, politics and sociology as well as being relevant for policymakers, researchers and those working in the public sector.

Margaret Wetherell is Professor of Social Psychology at the Open University and Director of the ESRC Identities and Social Action Programme. Michelynn Laflèche, Director of the Runnymede Trust, has headed the Trust's work programme and strategic policy direction since 2001. Robert Berkeley, a sociologist with a PhD from Trinity College, Oxford, is Deputy Director of the Runnymede Trust.