Social Influence: Direct and Indirect Processes (The Sydney Symposium of Social Psychology Series, V. 3) [Paperback]

Joseph P. Forgas (Editor), Kipling D. Williams (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2002 | ISBN-10: 1841690392 | ISBN-13: 978-1841690391

Social influence processes play a key role in human behavior. Arguably our extraordinary evolutionary success has much to do with our subtle and highly developed ability to interact with and influence each other. In this volume, leading international researchers review and integrate contemporary theory and research on the many ways people influence each other, considering both explicit, direct, and implicit, indirect influence strategies. Three sections examine fundamental processes and theory in social influence research, the role of cognitive processes and strategies in social influence phenomena, and the operation of social influence mechanisms in group settings. By applying the latest research to a wide range of interpersonal phenomena, this volume greatly advances our understanding of social influence mechanisms in strategic social interaction, and should be of interest to all students, researchers and practitioners interested in the dynamics of everyday interpersonal behavior.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This Sydney Symposium volume, the third in a series, showcases the best research done by a collection of stellar scholars in social influence. Collectively, they offer an integration and re-conceptualization of social influence phenomena, and help readers appreciate how these phenomena permeate myriad aspects of social thinking and social behavior." - Elizabeth Loftus, University of Washington

Product Details

• Paperback: 367 pages
• Publisher: Psychology Press (2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841690392
• ISBN-13: 978-1841690391
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #799,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A state-of-the art book on social influence, August 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Social Influence: Direct and Indirect Processes (Sydney Symposia in Social Psychology) (Hardcover)

Social influence is the very stuff of everyday life; in a million imperceptible, sometimes conscious and sometimes unconscious ways, we influence, and are influenced by others. Some of the most exciting findings of psychology come from research on direct forms of social influence such as obedience, conformity, compliance and the like. This book offers and excellent and up-to-date review of social influence phenomena written by an outstandning group of leading international researchers who collaborated on this volume during a recent residential symposium held at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. The result is a truly excellent volume. The topics covered include both subtle, unconscious forms of social influence, and more direct, explicit forms of influence strategies. Further, the role of social and cultural factors in the uses of, and responses to social influence is considered. The applications of the topics discussed in this work are innumerable: advertising, marketing, counselling, clinical psychology, health psychology, organizational behavior, interpersonal relationships and group interaction are just some of the many stages where social influence processes are played out in real life. Many of the chapters in the book offer detailed discussion of the uses and applications of influence strategies in everyday encounters. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone interested in finding out more about how people use and react to attempts at social influence, and more generally, to anyone who is fascinated by the way people communicate and interact with each other.