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EASP – European Association of Social Psychology

New Publication: Social Psychology: A Very Short Introduction

04.11.2015, by Kai Sassenberg in publication

by Richard J. Crisp; Oxford University Press, 2015; ISBN-10: 019871551X, ISBN-13: 978-0198715511

Book Cover
Book Cover

Science is often considered a quest to understand the physical universe: How atoms, molecules, and materials interact to determine our fate. Yet to the social scientist, understanding how we live, work, and co-exist with one another is as important as understanding the physical world. It is this ‘social universe’ that defines who we are, what we achieve, and what we leave behind.

Social psychology is all about this social universe, and the people who populate our everyday lives. It’s the study of how society shapes our behaviour, beliefs, attitudes, and values. It’s about families, neighbours, co-workers, lovers, enemies, politicians, soap stars, sports stars, and strangers. Social psychology is all about us, and it’s what this book is all about.

In this new addition to OUP’s popular Very Short Introductions series, Richard Crisp tells the story of social psychology. He talks about the key thinkers, and how their personal histories spurred them to understand what connects people to people, and to the societies in which we live. He covers classic studies, major theories, and the groundbreaking research that makes social psychology so relevant for the modern world. From attitudes to attraction, prejudice to persuasion, health to happiness, Crisp shows how social psychological insights can change the world, and help us tackle the defining problems of the 21st century.

About the series

The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. The expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.