Psychology Library Editions: Social Psychology – serie

Originally published in 1977, this volume was intended to provide a relatively elementary and clear overview of some of the more important approaches to social psychology at the time. There are a number of perspectives on this discipline, but here, instead of traditional theoretical approaches (e.g. field theory, role theory or S-R) the point of view is from the general perspective. The first chapter approaches social psychology as an experimental science, with the history and philosophic traditions discussed, as well as the current state of the field. Other chapters approach the discipline from the perspectives of symbolic interaction, social development, and ethology. The final chapter is devoted to the uses of mathematical models in social psychology.This volume was intended to serve as a helpful integration of the field, and will still be useful as a text in its historical context.

Originally published in 1977, this volume was intended to provide a relatively elementary and clear overview of some of the more important approaches to social psychology at the time. There are a number of perspectives on this discipline, but here, instead of traditional theoretical approaches (e.g. field theory, role theory or S-R) the point of view is from the general perspective. The first chapter approaches social psychology as an experimental science, with the history and philosophic traditions discussed, as well as the current state of the field. Other chapters approach the discipline from the perspectives of symbolic interaction, social development, and ethology. The final chapter is devoted to the uses of mathematical models in social psychology.This volume was intended to serve as a helpful integration of the field, and will still be useful as a text in its historical context.

Originally published in 1984, this book is concerned with our everyday behaviour with other people. It examines the nature of social interaction and the resources utilized in our engagement with others, and the ways in which these processes may be controlled and resources improved. Two themes are central to the book. One is the relationship between the intuitive psychology of everybody and the psychology of the professional scientist. The other is the shift in practice from the professional as expert and controller of the therapeutic processes towards self-management by the client. This is an essential guide for both students and professionals, and for anyone who would like to bring their social processes under more control.

Originally published in 1984, this book is concerned with our everyday behaviour with other people. It examines the nature of social interaction and the resources utilized in our engagement with others, and the ways in which these processes may be controlled and resources improved. Two themes are central to the book. One is the relationship between the intuitive psychology of everybody and the psychology of the professional scientist. The other is the shift in practice from the professional as expert and controller of the therapeutic processes towards self-management by the client. This is an essential guide for both students and professionals, and for anyone who would like to bring their social processes under more control.

People cope with threats to their identities in many different ways. Until the original publication of this title in 1986, there had been no theoretical framework within which to analyse their strategies for doing this, or to examine the nature and impact of the threatening experiences themselves. In this elegant and original book, Glynis Breakwell proposes an integrative model which explores the structure of identity and the principles directing its development.Focusing on examples of threat such as unemployment, sexually atypical employment and ethnic marginality, Breakwell examines the relation of the individual to social change. Through her sensitive use of case studies, she enables the victims of threat to speak for themselves about their experiences and feelings. Their reactions illustrate her proposed framework of three levels of coping strategies – intra-psychic, interpersonal and intergroup – and her assessment of the factors which limit the success of such strategies. The case studies also point to new evidence on the effects of unemployment and the impact of youth training schemes at the time.This title would have been essential reading for a range of undergraduate courses in social and abnormal psychology and individual differences, as well as for postgraduate training in clinical and medical psychology at the time. Social workers, counsellors and all those concerned with the care of the sufferers of threatened identities will still find it both informative and influential.

People cope with threats to their identities in many different ways. Until the original publication of this title in 1986, there had been no theoretical framework within which to analyse their strategies for doing this, or to examine the nature and impact of the threatening experiences themselves. In this elegant and original book, Glynis Breakwell proposes an integrative model which explores the structure of identity and the principles directing its development.Focusing on examples of threat such as unemployment, sexually atypical employment and ethnic marginality, Breakwell examines the relation of the individual to social change. Through her sensitive use of case studies, she enables the victims of threat to speak for themselves about their experiences and feelings. Their reactions illustrate her proposed framework of three levels of coping strategies – intra-psychic, interpersonal and intergroup – and her assessment of the factors which limit the success of such strategies. The case studies also point to new evidence on the effects of unemployment and the impact of youth training schemes at the time.This title would have been essential reading for a range of undergraduate courses in social and abnormal psychology and individual differences, as well as for postgraduate training in clinical and medical psychology at the time. Social workers, counsellors and all those concerned with the care of the sufferers of threatened identities will still find it both informative and influential.

What is the nature of social psychological science? What does a realist approach to human behaviour offer? Originally published in 1991, this lucid introduction to the philosophy of social psychological science takes a new and original approach to the subject. The author repudiates traditional empiricist and hermeneutical accounts, advancing instead a realist philosophy of social psychological science that maintains objectivity while at the same time stressing the social dimensions of mind and action.The author provides novel perspectives on the problems and potential of those sciences concerned with human behaviours that are constituted as meaningful actions by their social relational, and representational dimensions. He focuses in particular on the social identity of human actions and psychological states, on the objectivity of theoretical description and causal explanation, and on the role of experimentation. This approach, aimed at reconciling our scientific interest with our human intuitions, results in a richer conception of social psychological theory and phenomena than was found in most contemporary theoretical accounts. A stimulating and thought-provoking text, this title will still be of special value to students and teachers of psychology, sociology, anthropology and philosophy.

What is the nature of social psychological science? What does a realist approach to human behaviour offer? Originally published in 1991, this lucid introduction to the philosophy of social psychological science takes a new and original approach to the subject. The author repudiates traditional empiricist and hermeneutical accounts, advancing instead a realist philosophy of social psychological science that maintains objectivity while at the same time stressing the social dimensions of mind and action.The author provides novel perspectives on the problems and potential of those sciences concerned with human behaviours that are constituted as meaningful actions by their social relational, and representational dimensions. He focuses in particular on the social identity of human actions and psychological states, on the objectivity of theoretical description and causal explanation, and on the role of experimentation. This approach, aimed at reconciling our scientific interest with our human intuitions, results in a richer conception of social psychological theory and phenomena than was found in most contemporary theoretical accounts. A stimulating and thought-provoking text, this title will still be of special value to students and teachers of psychology, sociology, anthropology and philosophy.

Originally published in 1975, these contributions surveyed the range of social intervention technology available to psychologists at the time, but they are more than a simple cataloguing of technology. The stress is on articulating certain metatheoretical assumptions that underlie different strategies of social intervention. For example, assumptions about the personal agency, the nature of social systems, and levels and forms of interpersonal influences are all examined. The implications for the training of psychologists are developed, and specific attention is given to the identity crisis in social psychology precipitated by existing pressures and potentials for change at the time.

When this title was first published in 1971, there were about 300, 000 people with epilepsy in England and Wales. Nearly one-third of them were children. This book is an integrated review of how epileptic children behaved, and of how they were regarded by parents, teachers and peers at the time. Written by a sociologist with a training in psychology, human biology and education, the book draws on several disciplines – sociology, psychology, biology – in seeking to understand the complex determinants of deviant behaviour in children with epilepsy. The author considers in detail the lives of 118 epileptic children, bringing together and analysing a wide range of measurements of behaviour, social relations and abnormalities of brain function. He discusses how the children fare in school, and how epilepsy affects both the teacher’s perception of the child and the child’s scholastic performance. The dearth of medical centres which could diagnose and treat epilepsy at the time is examined, and hospital use according to parents’ social class is analysed. The author looks at the role of parents of epileptic children and shows that their attitude to epilepsy is of major importance for the child’s adjustment. The prejudice to which epileptic children and adolescents were subjected by the world at large is chronicled in detail. Finally the author considers how his empirical material makes a contribution to the theoretical problem of integrating sociology, psychology and biology into a single discipline concerned with the explanation of human social behaviour.

When this title was first published in 1971, there were about 300, 000 people with epilepsy in England and Wales. Nearly one-third of them were children. This book is an integrated review of how epileptic children behaved, and of how they were regarded by parents, teachers and peers at the time. Written by a sociologist with a training in psychology, human biology and education, the book draws on several disciplines – sociology, psychology, biology – in seeking to understand the complex determinants of deviant behaviour in children with epilepsy. The author considers in detail the lives of 118 epileptic children, bringing together and analysing a wide range of measurements of behaviour, social relations and abnormalities of brain function. He discusses how the children fare in school, and how epilepsy affects both the teacher’s perception of the child and the child’s scholastic performance. The dearth of medical centres which could diagnose and treat epilepsy at the time is examined, and hospital use according to parents’ social class is analysed. The author looks at the role of parents of epileptic children and shows that their attitude to epilepsy is of major importance for the child’s adjustment. The prejudice to which epileptic children and adolescents were subjected by the world at large is chronicled in detail. Finally the author considers how his empirical material makes a contribution to the theoretical problem of integrating sociology, psychology and biology into a single discipline concerned with the explanation of human social behaviour.

First published in 1931, this book represents an attempt to study the psychological basis of the institution of property. There had been many psychological and social studies of marriage and religion prior to publication of this title but none which considered the problems which arise when the institution of property is viewed from the angle of social psychology. Some of these problems are set out in the first chapter. In the remaining chapters the author discusses the problems in the light of evidence drawn from the various branches of psychology and sociology of the day. The final chapter indicates the importance of the author’s conclusions for political and social theory at the time.

First published in 1931, this book represents an attempt to study the psychological basis of the institution of property. There had been many psychological and social studies of marriage and religion prior to publication of this title but none which considered the problems which arise when the institution of property is viewed from the angle of social psychology. Some of these problems are set out in the first chapter. In the remaining chapters the author discusses the problems in the light of evidence drawn from the various branches of psychology and sociology of the day. The final chapter indicates the importance of the author’s conclusions for political and social theory at the time.

Prejudice is a topic of major interest to psychologists and sociologists, but had rarely been given the broad treatment its importance demanded.Originally published in 1985, this title first introduces the term, showing how it is related to other terms commonly used in psychology and the social sciences, and explains simply and clearly what a scientific analysis must involve. It then goes on to show how prejudice affects our reasoning and judgement in a wide variety of spheres in addition to race or ethnic attitudes. Next it traces the development of prejudiced attitudes towards black people in Britain and the New World, through the slave system and the slave trade, with a brief look at the remarkably similar development of ethnic attitudes in South Africa at the time. It then goes on to discuss the debate about race differences in intelligence, showing simply and clearly what the statistical assumptions underlying the heritability hypothesis are. Following that the psychological explanation of prejudice and principles explaining prejudice are spelled out, the question of sex prejudice is dealt with, and finally, the extent of ethnic prejudice in Britain and the USA is discussed. The final chapter is a summary of the general principles and conclusions discussed through the book.This title provides a scientific and historical perspective on prejudice, a thorough literature review, and clear summarising principles of prejudice, in a simple and straightforward style.

Prejudice is a topic of major interest to psychologists and sociologists, but had rarely been given the broad treatment its importance demanded.Originally published in 1985, this title first introduces the term, showing how it is related to other terms commonly used in psychology and the social sciences, and explains simply and clearly what a scientific analysis must involve. It then goes on to show how prejudice affects our reasoning and judgement in a wide variety of spheres in addition to race or ethnic attitudes. Next it traces the development of prejudiced attitudes towards black people in Britain and the New World, through the slave system and the slave trade, with a brief look at the remarkably similar development of ethnic attitudes in South Africa at the time. It then goes on to discuss the debate about race differences in intelligence, showing simply and clearly what the statistical assumptions underlying the heritability hypothesis are. Following that the psychological explanation of prejudice and principles explaining prejudice are spelled out, the question of sex prejudice is dealt with, and finally, the extent of ethnic prejudice in Britain and the USA is discussed. The final chapter is a summary of the general principles and conclusions discussed through the book.This title provides a scientific and historical perspective on prejudice, a thorough literature review, and clear summarising principles of prejudice, in a simple and straightforward style.

Since the early 1970s, social psychology has been in crisis. At the time Reconstructing Social Psychology (Armistead) provided a critical review of theories and assumptions in the discipline. Originally published in 1990, this title not only updates that review but illustrates the ways in which assumptions had changed at the time. The crisis is no longer seen as one which can be resolved within social psychology itself, but rather as one more deeply rooted in modern society.The contributors look at the issues raised by deconstruction in the other human sciences, as well as investigating the claims made by social psychology as a discipline. They examine the rhetoric and texts of social psychology, analysing how the texts which hold the discipline together obtain their power. The arguments include the political implications of deconstructive ideas, focusing on particular issues such as research, therapy and feminism.Deconstructing Social Psychology presents a strong selection of new critical writing in social psychology. It will still be a useful text for students of psychology, social science, and sociology, and for those working in the area of language.

Since the early 1970s, social psychology has been in crisis. At the time Reconstructing Social Psychology (Armistead) provided a critical review of theories and assumptions in the discipline. Originally published in 1990, this title not only updates that review but illustrates the ways in which assumptions had changed at the time. The crisis is no longer seen as one which can be resolved within social psychology itself, but rather as one more deeply rooted in modern society.The contributors look at the issues raised by deconstruction in the other human sciences, as well as investigating the claims made by social psychology as a discipline. They examine the rhetoric and texts of social psychology, analysing how the texts which hold the discipline together obtain their power. The arguments include the political implications of deconstructive ideas, focusing on particular issues such as research, therapy and feminism.Deconstructing Social Psychology presents a strong selection of new critical writing in social psychology. It will still be a useful text for students of psychology, social science, and sociology, and for those working in the area of language.

Originally published in 1990, this title presents work that bridges social psychology and organizations. The primary goal is understanding, but that goal has two opposite sides: understanding organizations by bringing to bear the concepts and methods of social psychology (along with other social sciences), and understanding and developing social psychology by confronting it with the phenomena of actual organizational life. As such the authors break down some traditional stereotypical barriers between the academic world and the business world, between theoretical and applied research, between laboratory and field, and between various academic sub-disciplines. The result is a series of challenging forays into new research domains from which provocative ideas and provocative phenomena emerge.

Originally published in 1990, this title presents work that bridges social psychology and organizations. The primary goal is understanding, but that goal has two opposite sides: understanding organizations by bringing to bear the concepts and methods of social psychology (along with other social sciences), and understanding and developing social psychology by confronting it with the phenomena of actual organizational life. As such the authors break down some traditional stereotypical barriers between the academic world and the business world, between theoretical and applied research, between laboratory and field, and between various academic sub-disciplines. The result is a series of challenging forays into new research domains from which provocative ideas and provocative phenomena emerge.

Originally published in 1988, this book outlines a new evolutionary paradigm for understanding human society and mental structure, originating from the editor's work in primate ethology. It is supported and further elaborated by the contributors. Chance argues that two modes of social interaction, the agonic and hedonic, underlie social life and corresponding mentality.In the agonic mode we are concerned with self-security and our attention is much taken up with being accepted by a group. This mode is based on a recently discovered state of inhibited (braked) mental arousal. Social behaviour is either authoritarian or authority subservient, and has a tendency to control or be controlled. It curbs intelligence and restricts personality development. In the hedonic mode we are freer to form a network of personal relationships that are typically mutually supportive. The hedonic mode leads to the development of self-confidence and a relaxed empathic and collaborative personality with intelligence enhanced. The volume will still be of interest to all concerned with human affairs including those working in ethology, primatology, anthropology, social psychology, psychiatry and political sociology.

Originally published in 1988, this book outlines a new evolutionary paradigm for understanding human society and mental structure, originating from the editor's work in primate ethology. It is supported and further elaborated by the contributors. Chance argues that two modes of social interaction, the agonic and hedonic, underlie social life and corresponding mentality.In the agonic mode we are concerned with self-security and our attention is much taken up with being accepted by a group. This mode is based on a recently discovered state of inhibited (braked) mental arousal. Social behaviour is either authoritarian or authority subservient, and has a tendency to control or be controlled. It curbs intelligence and restricts personality development. In the hedonic mode we are freer to form a network of personal relationships that are typically mutually supportive. The hedonic mode leads to the development of self-confidence and a relaxed empathic and collaborative personality with intelligence enhanced. The volume will still be of interest to all concerned with human affairs including those working in ethology, primatology, anthropology, social psychology, psychiatry and political sociology.

Originally published in 1983, this clear-sighted study built an understanding of what human behaviour meant at the time: an understanding which can still be of practical use for those who work with people in their everyday lives today.The various influences on the individual are carefully examined, with theoretical approaches from different standpoints considered in relation to one another, from the development of the personality and behaviour patterns to the effect of family and social life, culminating in the picture of a ‘whole’, responsive person. Relationships are seen to be important, and this is reflected in the selection of material. Ford argues that it is the social worker’s role to offer guidance relating to the nature and quality of an individual’s interaction with society, and that this can be done more effectively if there is a practical understanding of how this interaction evolves. Examples of social work practice are given throughout to show how such understandings may be used.

Originally published in 1983, this clear-sighted study built an understanding of what human behaviour meant at the time: an understanding which can still be of practical use for those who work with people in their everyday lives today.The various influences on the individual are carefully examined, with theoretical approaches from different standpoints considered in relation to one another, from the development of the personality and behaviour patterns to the effect of family and social life, culminating in the picture of a ‘whole’, responsive person. Relationships are seen to be important, and this is reflected in the selection of material. Ford argues that it is the social worker’s role to offer guidance relating to the nature and quality of an individual’s interaction with society, and that this can be done more effectively if there is a practical understanding of how this interaction evolves. Examples of social work practice are given throughout to show how such understandings may be used.

Although widely taught to undergraduates, teachers, managers and adult students, practical work and demonstrations in social psychology were often found very difficult to carry out satisfactorily. Originally published in 1962, this book presented for the first time a series of experiments which would work in a classroom setting: some are modified versions of classical experiments, others were new. Several experiments are presented, together with discussion of their background and implications, in each of a number of central areas of social psychology. Each topic has been covered by a different author, who has carried out research in the area in question, and is experienced in demonstrating the main experimental facts in practical class work. The editors have written a challenging introduction, in which some of the basic issues involved in experimental work in social behaviour are raised.

Although widely taught to undergraduates, teachers, managers and adult students, practical work and demonstrations in social psychology were often found very difficult to carry out satisfactorily. Originally published in 1962, this book presented for the first time a series of experiments which would work in a classroom setting: some are modified versions of classical experiments, others were new. Several experiments are presented, together with discussion of their background and implications, in each of a number of central areas of social psychology. Each topic has been covered by a different author, who has carried out research in the area in question, and is experienced in demonstrating the main experimental facts in practical class work. The editors have written a challenging introduction, in which some of the basic issues involved in experimental work in social behaviour are raised.

The relationship between the cognitive and social spheres of human functioning and their context has long been regarded by social and behavioural scientists as a central theoretical issue. By the early 1980s a number of empirical studies had further elucidated the nature of this relationship but no attempt had been made to present a coherent picture of the research and developments in this increasingly popular area of study.Originally published in 1982, the topics covered in this book filled the gap admirably. They present a view of the development of aspects of the self and of self-other relations and how these two lines of development interact within a given context. All the contributions attempt to portray the child’s developing awareness of the self in relation to the social world, but all consider it from different perspectives and in varying degrees of detail. This useful collection, by a number of well-known contributors, should still be of great value to students of developmental and social psychology.

The relationship between the cognitive and social spheres of human functioning and their context has long been regarded by social and behavioural scientists as a central theoretical issue. By the early 1980s a number of empirical studies had further elucidated the nature of this relationship but no attempt had been made to present a coherent picture of the research and developments in this increasingly popular area of study.Originally published in 1982, the topics covered in this book filled the gap admirably. They present a view of the development of aspects of the self and of self-other relations and how these two lines of development interact within a given context. All the contributions attempt to portray the child’s developing awareness of the self in relation to the social world, but all consider it from different perspectives and in varying degrees of detail. This useful collection, by a number of well-known contributors, should still be of great value to students of developmental and social psychology.

Common sense, by definition, is familiar to us all. Science, for some of us, is more remote, yet it is not always clear what the connections are between these two ways of seeing the world. In this title, originally published in 1993, the author explores several related themes in social psychology to elucidate the way we understand the social construction of knowledge and the means by which we change social reality.From the perspective of a critique of social representations theory, the author argues that this necessitates a change of viewpoint from the individualistic and mechanistic assumptions of Cartesian science to the social and evolutionary perspective of a Hegelian framework. This not only emphasizes the cultural and historical dimensions of social phenomena but also illuminates the social and dynamic nature of individuals. As a consequence, the discipline of social psychology must itself be transformed, recognizing the active participation of scientists in the social construction of scientific knowledge. This title will be of interest to those working in social psychology, history and philosophy of science, and sociology.

Common sense, by definition, is familiar to us all. Science, for some of us, is more remote, yet it is not always clear what the connections are between these two ways of seeing the world. In this title, originally published in 1993, the author explores several related themes in social psychology to elucidate the way we understand the social construction of knowledge and the means by which we change social reality.From the perspective of a critique of social representations theory, the author argues that this necessitates a change of viewpoint from the individualistic and mechanistic assumptions of Cartesian science to the social and evolutionary perspective of a Hegelian framework. This not only emphasizes the cultural and historical dimensions of social phenomena but also illuminates the social and dynamic nature of individuals. As a consequence, the discipline of social psychology must itself be transformed, recognizing the active participation of scientists in the social construction of scientific knowledge. This title will be of interest to those working in social psychology, history and philosophy of science, and sociology.