Experiments With People: Revelations From Social Psychology [Paperback]

Robert P. Abelson (Author), Aiden Gregg (Author), Kurt P. Frey (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0805828974 | ISBN-13: 978-0805828979 | Publication Date: July 3, 2003

Experiments With People showcases 28 intriguing studies that have significantly advanced our understanding of human thought and social behavior. These studies, mostly laboratory experiments, shed light on the irrationality of everyday thinking, the cruelty and indifference of 'ordinary' people, the operation of the unconscious mind, and the intimate bond between the self and others. This book tells the inside story of how social psychological research gets done and why it matters.

Each chapter focuses on the details and implications of a single study, but cites related research and real-life examples. All chapters are self-contained, allowing them to be read in any order. Each chapter is divided into:
*Background--provides the rationale for the study;
*What They Did--outlines the design and procedure used;
*What They Found--summarizes the results obtained;
*So What?--articulates the significance of those results;
*Afterthoughts--explores the broader issues raised by the study; and
*Revelation--encapsulates the 'take-home message' of each chapter.

This paperback is ideal as a main or supplementary text for courses in social psychology, introductory psychology, or research design.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A pleasure to read, a delight to recommend."
—Mark Lepper, Ph.D.
Stanford University

"An absorbing account of some of the best research that social psychology has to offer. Highly recommended!"
—Constantine Sedikides, Ph.D.
University of Southampton, UK

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Psychology Press (July 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805828974
• ISBN-13: 978-0805828979
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #672,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review in a nutshell., May 30, 2010

By 

J. Chase - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Experiments With People: Revelations From Social Psychology (Paperback)

After reading (and thoroughly enjoying) Abelson's "Statistics as Principled Argument", I decided to look into any other textbooks he authored. I found myself pleasantly surprised with this scantly reviewed, and seemingly unheard of experimental psychology text.

Every chapter begins with a breakdown of the topic at hand by providing background information. The authors then provide a brief overview of the methodology, move on to the results (in plain English, no statistics), and why the finding is important / relevant. While I felt that some of the explanations could have been better as far as the methodology was concerned, and some statistics could have made the points clearer, this was a pleasure to read. Abelson's wit is a credit to the profession of psychology, as he has a knack in making the material he covers fun by picking interesting studies which not only teach, but inspire. This text is nothing short of refreshing.

Each chapter of the book focuses on a topic in psychology which is illustrated primarily by a single article that was not only picked for its impact, but clever methodological design. The beauty of picking one article per chapter is that it allows those familiar with the research to have a single reference point for a topic area, while serving as a place to start for those just entering the world of experimental psychology. I also found that this book is especially well suited for those who need a refresher before entering a graduate experimental psychology program. The articles discussed in the chapters are written by of some of the most prominent modern experimental psychologists (e.g. Wegner, Dovidio, Gilbert, & Batson), as well as some of the classic giants (e.g. Asch, Milgram, Darley, & Festinger). Just as the names are numerous, so are the topics the book encompasses, spanning from attribution theory to the processes behind suffering. Overall, a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this book.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Experiments with People, May 29, 2008

By 

Heath Stevens - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Experiments With People: Revelations From Social Psychology (Paperback)

Excellent purchasing experience. This book seems a great supplementary textbook for a social psychology class or anyone just interested in human behavior without taking a course.