Social Psychology: Unraveling the Mystery (Hardcover)

~ Douglas T. Kenrick (Author), Steven L. Neuberg (Author), (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Social Psychology: Unraveling the Mystery explores how social behavior is goal-directed and a result of interactions between the person and the situation. Social Psychology Unraveling the Mystery has two features that set it apart from other social psychology textbooks: Opening mysteries: Each chapter begins with a mystery of social behavior, designed not only to grab student interest, but also to organize the ensuing discussion of scientific research: Why would a poor black washerwoman give away her hard-earned life-savings? What psychological forces led the Dalai Lama, the most exalted personage in Tibet, to forge a lifelong friendship with a foreign vagabond openly scorned by Tibetan peasants? Why would a boy falsely confess to murdering his own mother? A unique integrated approach to social behavior: Rather than encyclopedically listing unconnected factoids, the authors organize each chapter around the two broad themes, asking: (1) what are the goals that underlie the behavior in question? (2) what factors in the person and the situation link to each goal? The book thus presents the discipline as a coherent framework for understanding human behavior. Cutting-edge scholarship, lively writing, and the authors' strengths as both respected researchers and expert teachers, all come together to make the third edition of Social Psychology: Unraveling the Mystery an accessible and engaging read for students, and provides a modern and cohesive approach for their teachers.

From the Back Cover

Offering the first truly integrated presentation of social psychology, this innovative book uses two central themes to provide a big-picture view. To capture the excitement of discovery and mystery that surrounds the science of social behavior, the authors use the metaphor of social psychologist as detective. Each chapter opens with a mystery -- a real life example of human behavior - and lets the solution unfold throughout the chapter with the help of basic principles and findings of social psychological research. Compelling themes, cutting edge scholarship and lively writing combine to make this an appealing and distinguished introduction to the field.

The two central themes of this book are (1) social behavior is goal directed; and 2) social behavior is the result of interactions between the person and the situation. The book begins by describing the field, then moves on to discuss the systems that affect social behavior; social cognition; self-presentation; persuasion; social influence; affiliation, love, and romantic relationships; prosocial and aggressive behavior; prejudice; groups; and global social dilemmas. For anyone who wants to understand social behavior and why people act the way they do. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 3 edition (July 16, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205420486
• ISBN-13: 978-0205420483
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #526,468 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best in influence, January 18, 2009

By	M. OLSON "Merrit" (Montana USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Social Psychology: Goals in Interaction (4th Edition) (Hardcover)

I have all of Cialdini's books, and if you can afford it, you will love this one! Dr. Cialdini continues to do a wonderful job of teaching in the area of social psychology, but the benefit of this book is that it is much more complete than his other shorter works, such as, "Influence."
The clarity and interesting examples will keep you reading and reading. Normally one would not find a social psychology text book described as "hard to put down," but this one most assuredly is!
If you are looking for that one great social psychology book, be it for a class, to understand what social psychology is all about, or just to get more of Cialdini's works, then get this book. I would buy it for you if I could (but then you wouldn't appreciate it as much. (he, he, recall "commitment and consistency")

4.0 out of 5 stars It works, September 18, 2009

By	Craig - See all my reviews

This review is from: Social Psychology: Goals in Interaction (4th Edition) (Hardcover)

The copy of this book that I bought was actually given as a free "examiner's copy" to someone who sold it to a book buyer to make some fast cash. As far as I can tell though, the only thing that is different is the cover, and for half price, I think thats worth it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best possible price, September 14, 2009

By	Bargain hunter - See all my reviews

This review is from: Social Psychology: Goals in Interaction (4th Edition) (Hardcover)

The book was in excellent condition and was WAAAAYYYY cheaper than the college bookstore's price. I would definitely recommend other college students to get their books from Amazon.com and save some serious cash.