The Social Animal (A Series of Books in Psychology) (Paperback)

by Elliot Aronson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
'As one would expect from an author of Aronson's stature, The Social Animal is a book that is provocative and eminently readable.' - British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 'A rare gem of a book, easy to read but also scientifically sophisticated.' - Contemporary Sociology 'Aronson writes with an astonishing combination of passion, wisdom and humour. The Social Animal is a great book.' - Grzna Wieczorkowska, Director, Institute for Social Studies, Warsaw University, Poland Completely revised and updated, this new edition of The Social Animal is a compelling introduction to modern social psychology. Through vivid narrative, lively presentations of important research and intriguing examples, Elliot Aronson probes the patterns and motives of human behaviour, covering such diverse topics as conformity, obedience, politics, race relations, advertising, war, interpersonal attraction and the power of religious cults. The accompanying volume Readings About The Social Animal is arranged to illustrate the major themes of the text. This collection of articles from psychological journals, forms the perfect companion for any introductory text.

About the Author
EllIOT ARONSON is a Lecturer at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He is one of the world's most distinguished and versatile social psychologists. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 548 pages
• Publisher: W.H. Freeman & Company; 8 edition (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0716733129
• ISBN-13: 978-0716733126
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #854,619 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An honor. . ., March 16, 2000

By	A. M. Yee (Santa Cruz, California) - See all my reviews

I am a current undergraduate student at the University of California at Santa Cruz. This past quarter, I had the honor of being in Elliot Aronson's last ever lecture class at Santa Cruz. It was amazing. His teaching and writing inspired me to re-evaluate my actions and myself as a person. Aronson's heart shows through in his writing--and even more in his lecturing. The book truly causes one to look at his actions and reactions to various interactions with those around him. The Social Animal focuses on why, how, and when people formulate different ideas about society and the people contained in it. One definitely gains an understanding of himself and his interactions, views, ideals, predjudices, etc. after reading this critical analysis of human social behavior. Again, I feel honored to have been enlightened by Elliot Aronson.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE book of social psychology, October 22, 2001

By A Customer

I am a graduate student and forever labor at parties under the misconception others have about what it is that I study. This book was panacea for me -- I bought it and gave copies of it to my parents and various assorted others. In lay-person's prose, Aronson explains the major, and most influential, of social psychological achievements. He accurately explains what social psychology is and why it's helpful without ever sounding like a professor talking down to students. It is a must-read for everyone, not only because it is so clear and cogent, but because it can explain and clarify to many the basic processes underlying most of everyday life.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Social Animal: Bible of the Psychology of Society, November 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Social Animal (A Series of Books in Psychology) (Paperback)

This a fantastically user friendly guide to understand whether or not things we say about much of human behavior is true. For example "Is beauty really in the eye of the beholder?" "If I want people to believe me, should I speak first or last?" "What attracts people to each other?" "Will seeing violence on TV matter?" Elliot Aronson, author of 15 books, noted scientist, and member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, concisely explains a number of social issues with the light of scientific truth. Internationally recognized for sixteen years, The Social Animal, offers plain and often funny insight as to what psychologists know about human behavior in the social context. Used as both text book and sophisticated reading, few books offer enlightenment about what happens in social cirmstances, with such easily understood and scientific presentation.