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The Social Animal
A landmark text that maintains its relevance and unique approach edition after edition, The Social Animal offers a brief, 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 behavior, covering such diverse topics as terroris...more
Paperback, 431 pages
Published
July 13th 2007
by Worth Publishers
(first published 1972)
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This insightful social psychology book for the curious layperson provoked and challenged the way I think about influences that people have and are subjected to. In an increasingly intellectual apathetic world, it was really interesting to read about research into humans as an influencing and influential being on others, especially in ways that surprised or were counterintuitive.
As a book written to be brief, I can understand the author not going into some concepts in more scholarly detail. Howe...more
As a book written to be brief, I can understand the author not going into some concepts in more scholarly detail. Howe...more
The author states that he purposely left this book brief so that it could serve as an introduction to social psychology. As valid a goal as that might be, Elliot Aronson's approach leaves the reader with a book that only provides examples and defines barely any terms or theories. Aronson must have known that his book may be used as primary text for a social psychology class (as it was in mine), which makes the inadequacies of this book inexcusable.
The author bolds key terms but a review of the d...more
The author bolds key terms but a review of the d...more
2 likes · like · see review
view all 5 comments
Dec 02, 2008
Meaghan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone thinking/questioning their world
Recommended to Meaghan by:
My Instructor
I read the 10th Edition last year at school and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Its a LOT of information, but its well worth the read to see past the surface of the world we live in to get to the real reason we are the way we are, and how the media, society, and life in general molds us.
Jan 04, 2009
Yvonne
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people interested in psychology
I had to read this book for my Social Psychology class and it was (quite possibly) the only "text" book I ever actually read. It was a fascinating merging of psychology in a social context. The subject is immediately applicable to real life.
One of the best 'textbooks' I've ever read... I put textbooks in quotes, because this stands as a book in its own right. Essential reading for anyone interested in psychology.
this book is good. it is applicable to real life. also this book includes a lot of experiments. it is also a good book for social psychology.
Awesome for a quick sweep on fields in social psychology. Easy to read and explains experimental design in a concise and effective manner.
23 years later I can't count the number of times I've either read or referenced this book. It's like my bible.
Includes lots of fascinating experiments. The biggest drawback is Aronson hardly mentions genetic influences.
Insightful social psychology book. It has many studies in it which are interesting and helpful.
May 12, 2010
Zachary Zhao
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nonfiction-psychology
For every subject, there is a Bible textbook. This has to be the one for Social Psychology.
A very clear and concise intro to social psychology.
Excellent book about Social Psychology!
the most amazing book ever
Very nice book
Kyle
Reality check, on how we react to situations in a group vs on our own, in society.
If I didn't have to focus and memorize minute details (as this was assigned for class) I probably would have given this 5 stars. It was interesting, informative, and I would recommend everyone read it to get a little insight on our social world.
One of the most influential books which have totally changed my perspective on people's psychology, making the readers become more aware of the little insignificant details that influence their lives on the subconscious level. Nothing is as it seems, and you can always dig a little deeper to find something else hidden beneath the exterior.
Excellent. It's an encyclopedia for modern psychology. Covering a very wide range of experiences. I really really enjoy it. When I finished the book, I felt like I don't need to read anything anymore about Social Psychology!
I was also amazed by the scientific approach to do experiments in social psychology.
Chapeau-bas!
I was also amazed by the scientific approach to do experiments in social psychology.
Chapeau-bas!
I read this book for a graduate class in Social Psychology. For a required read, it was pretty good. I'm not sure it was one I would have picked up on my own, but it was very interesting and written in a reader-friendly format. Definitely one of the better "required" reads in my academic career.
An excellent introduction to the field of social psychology! Learned some intresting things on why people think and act like they do. This was a most
helpful introduction when thought about in light of religion. After reading this I would love to learn more about the field of social psychology!
helpful introduction when thought about in light of religion. After reading this I would love to learn more about the field of social psychology!
A easy to read book on social psychology that provides scientific research through humor and examples. It's a true eye opener to learn that probabilistically you will react to scenarios differently than how you actually react to them. This book will make you auto-evaluate yourself.
My book club read this book. It provides an excellent discussion at book club. Very interesting ideas of human nature, personalities, motivations, social behaviors etc. I would recommend this for any book club.
I actually read a much earlier edition, but I have to say it's a great book to spark interest in sociology. I was really fascinated by the various experiments and topics Aronson discusses, and I probably wouldn't mind reading it over again.
Reading for my Social Psychology class . . . actually a very interesting textbook . . .
A textbook that reads more like a novel . . . wish they were all like this. A fascinating book that delves into the human psych.
A textbook that reads more like a novel . . . wish they were all like this. A fascinating book that delves into the human psych.
One of the best books I have read on human behavior. It contains the basic research test in social psychology and an also provides a simple explanation of the research outcomes. A must read!!!
Fascinating book, but I wonder how much we can say about universal human psychology when most of the experiments are done with college students, who are not an especially diverse group.
May 10, 2007
Julie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anthropologist
An entertaining peek into the age old social aspects of human beings. I also love Aronson's language. He makes scientific non-fiction just as amusing and easy to read as Judy Blume.
I had to read portions of this for a class and ended up reading the whole thing! I find social psych a fascinating subject and Aronson presents the info in an approachable way.
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Elliot Aronson (Born January 1932) is listed among the 100 most eminent psychologist of the 20th Century, best known for his Jigsaw Classroom experiments, cognitive dissonance research, and bestselling Social Psychology textbooks. He is the only person in the 120-year history of the American Psychological Association to have won all three of its major awards: For distinguished writing (1973), for...more
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