Social Psychology: Unraveling the Mystery

Abstract

All chapters conclude with Summary. 1. Introduction to Social Psychology. The Mysteries of Social Life. Major Theoretical Perspectives of Social Psychology. Basic Principles of Social Behavior. How Psychologists Study Social Behavior. How Does Social Psychology Fit into the Network of Knowledge? Revisiting the Mysteries of Social Life. 2. The Person and the Situation. The Enigma of an Ordinary and Extraordinary Man. The Person. The Situation. The Person and the Situation Interact. Revisiting the Enigma of an Ordinary and Extraordinary Man. 3. Social Cognition: Understanding Ourselves and Others. Portraits of Richard Nixon. The Social Thinker. Conserving Mental Effort. Managing Self-Image. How Universal is the Need for Positive Self-Regard? Revisiting the Portraits of Richard Nixon. 4. Presenting the Self. The Amazing Lives of Fred Demara. What is Self-Preservation? Appearing Likeable. Appearing Competent. Conveying Status and Power. Revisiting the Amazing Lives of Fred Demara. 5. Persuasion. The Changing Story of Peter Reilly. What is Persuasion? Seeking Accuracy. Being Consistent. Gaining Social Approval. Revisiting the Story of Peter Reilly. 6. Social Influence. The Extraordinary Turnaround (and Around) of Steve Hassan. Categories of Social Influence: Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience. Choosing Correctly. Gaining Social Approval. Managing Self-Image. Revisiting the Turnaround of Steve Hassan. 7. Affiliation and Friendship. The Woman Everybody Loved and the Man Who Hated Her. What is a Friend? Getting Social Support. Getting Information. Gaining Status. Exchanging Material Benefits. Revisiting the Beloved Roosevelt and the Hate-filled Hoover. 8. Love and Romantic Relationships. The Puzzling Love Lives of the British Monarchs. Defining Love and Romantic Attraction. Obtaining Sexual Satisfaction. Establishing Family Bonds. Gaining Resources and Social Status. Revisiting the Love Lives of the British Monarchs. 9. Prosocial Behavior: Helping Others. The Strange Case of Sempo Sugihara. Defining Prosocial Behavior. Gaining Genetic and Material Benefits. Gaining Social Status and Approval. Managing Self-Image. Managing Our Moods and Emotions. Does Pure Altruism Exist? Revisiting the Case of Sempo Sugihara. 10. Aggression. A Wave of Senseless Violence. What is Aggression? Coping with Feelings of Annoyance. Gaining Material and Social Rewards. Gaining or Maintaining Social Status. Protecting Oneself or Others. Reducing Violence. Revisiting Senseless Violence. 11. Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination. The Unlikely Journey of Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis. Planet Prejudice. Gaining Material Benefits for One's Group. Gaining Social Approval. Managing Self-Image. Seeking Mental Efficiency. Reducing Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination. Revisiting the Journey of Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis. 12. Groups. The Surprising Rise and Fall of Margaret Thatcher. The Nature of Groups. Getting Things Done. Making Accurate Decisions. Gaining Positions of Leadership. Revisiting the Rise and Fall of Margaret Thatcher. 13. Social Dilemmas: Cooperation versus Conflict. Contrasting Future Worlds. Defining Social Dilemmas. Gaining Immediate Satisfaction. Defending Ourselves and Valued Others. Revisiting Contrasting Future Worlds. 14. Integrating Social Psychology. Public Spectacles, Hidden Conspiracies, and Multiple Motives. Major Theoretical Perspectives of Social Psychology. Combining the Different Perspectives. Why Research Methods Matter. How Does Social Psychology Fit into the Network of Knowledge. The Future of Social Psychology.