Overview

"This introductory social psychology textbook acknowledges two very different approaches being taken to social psychology - experimental and critical. These approaches are in conflict with each other. The book brings these together in a single, coherent text. No attempt is made to find a cosy ""integration"" between them; rather, students explore the benefits and drawbacks of each. This book makes students develop their skills of critical analysis by addressing questions like: What is social psychology - A natural science? A social science? A human science? Or something else entirely?; How should social psychology be studied - By doing experiments? Or by analysing discourse?; What is the ""social"" in social psychology? Is it how people's thoughts and behaviour are influenced by social forces and circumstances? Or is it how social identities and social worlds get constructed?; Is social psychology neutral and ""above politics"", or is it racist and elitist? Does it need to change? How?; What role can social psychologists play in ""making the world a better place""? Can they? Should they? Introducing the experimental approach, the book includes the study of social influence, attitudes, attribution, groups, language and communication. Introducing the critical approach, it looks at semiotic, social constructionist and grounded theories, and discourse and narrative analyses. Also explored are the historical origins and development of the two approaches, their philosophical bases and the contrasting ""logics of enquiry"" they use to pursue empirical research. By studying experimental and critical approaches together, introductory-level students gain a richer and deeper understanding of what social psychology in the 21st century is about, where it is going and the issues it must address."

Full Product Details

9780335211265

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Wendy Stainton Rogers spent nearly eight years as a cognitive psychologist before moving into the field of critical social psychology, in which she gained her doctorate. Working at the Open University for most of her academic career, she started in Psychology and then moved into its School of Health and Social Welfare, combining her continuing research with teaching. Currently she is academic co-ordinator of the Open University's Research School. In recent years her publications have included Social Psychology: A Critical Agenda (1995) and with Rex Stainton Rogers The Psychology of Gender and Sexuality (2001).

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available