Readings in Social Psychology: General, Classic, and Contemporary Selections

by Wayne A. Lesko

This collection of readings gives readers broad exposure to the various sources of information available in the field of social psychology. Each chapter begins with an introduction and contains three one popular, one classic, and one contemporary. Individual articles are preceded by a brief introduction and followed by "Critical Thinking Questions," which ask the reader to carefully examine some part of the article presented, speculate about generalizations and implications of the research, and in some cases, suggest new studies based on the information in the article. Classic articles are followed by "Additional Related Readings" which invite examination of more contemporary views on the same topic. Fourteen chapters cover the field of social psychology in depth, ranging from social perception to social cognition, attitudes, social identity, prejudice and discrimination, close relationships, social influence, prosocial behavior, aggression, groups and individual behavior, and applying social psychology to law, business, health, and the environment. The subject matter of individual articles runs the gamut from deception in experiments to nonverbal signals, date and stranger rape, forced compliance, bystander response to child abuse, the perils of groupthink, and much more. For anyone wanting to explore classic and contemporary views of human behavior.

Genres: Nonfiction

413 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1993

Reviews

[Dotty]

I read this book in its entirety, and it is terribly boring and repetitive. If you've already had a general overview on the most eminent studies done in the social psych field, I would suggest leaving this book to erode in its own dismay to save you from your own. Then I would pick up a book by Philip Zimbardo instead because he rules and was only mentioned ONCE in this book (regarding the prison experiment, OF ALL THINGS). Just say no, or tell your professor to choose a better book.

[Reading]

Interesting selection of journal articles from the 40s to the present. Definitely appropriate for an undergrad college class.