Organization

The text moves systematically from lower to higher levels of analysis—a method that I have found makes sense to students. On the other hand, the chapter order should not constrain you—choose a different order if you wish. Chapter 1 “Introducing Social Psychology” presents an introduction to social psychology and the research methods in social psychology, Chapter 2 “Social Cognition” presents the fundamental principles of social cognition. The remainder of the text is organized around three levels of analysis, moving systematically from the individual level (Chapter 3 “The Self” through Chapter 5 “Perceiving Others”), to the level of social interaction (Chapter 6 “Influencing and Conforming” through Chapter 9 “Aggression”), to the group and cultural level (Chapter 10 “Working Groups: Performance and Decision Making” through Chapter 12 “Competition and Cooperation in Our Social Worlds”).

Rather than relying on “modules” or “appendices” of applied materials, my text integrates applied concepts into the text itself. This approach is consistent with my underlying belief that if students learn to think like social psychologists they will easily and naturally apply that knowledge to any and all applications. The following applications are woven throughout the text:

Business and consumer behavior (see, for instance, Chapter 4 “Attitudes, Behavior, and Persuasion” on marketing and persuasion and Chapter 10 “Working Groups: Performance and Decision Making” on group decision making)

Health and Behavior (see, for instance, Chapter 5 “Perceiving Others” on attributional styles)

Law (see, for instance, Chapter 2 “Social Cognition” on eyewitness testimony and Chapter 9 “Aggression” on Terrorism)