Theories in Social Psychology

Most contemporary volumes on social psychology emphasize applied research, while neglecting to address the important theories that shape the discipline. A deeper understanding of the theoretical framework that underlies social psychology allows researchers the opportunity to reflect on current work and become inspired for future areas of enquiry.

Theories in Social Psychology addresses this substantial deficiency in current literature by bringing together the work of a range of distinguished scholars who have written critically within the area of social psychology. Twelve social psychological theories relating to social cognition, social comparison, social reinforcement, and self are critically discussed in–depth: cognitive dissonance, reactance, attribution, social comparison, relative deprivation, equity, interdependency, social identity, social categorization, self perception, symbolic interactionism, and impression management. Theories in Social Psychology fills a long–awaited need by articulating the important psychological theories that shape our understanding of social behavior.

List of Contributors.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

Part I: Social Cognition:

1. Toward Freedom: Reactance Theory Revisited (Derek Chadee, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine).

2. Inconsistency in Cognition: Cognitive Dissonance (Paul R. Nail and Kurt A. Boniecki, University of Central Arkansas).

3. Attribution Theories: How People Make Sense of Behavior (Bertram F. Malle, Brown University).

4. The Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion: Thoughtful and Non–Thoughtful Social Influence (Benjamin C. Wagner and Richard E. Petty, Ohio State University).

Part II: Social Comparison:

5. Social Comparison: Motives, Standards, and Mechanisms (Katja Corcoran, Jan Crusius, and Thomas Mussweiler, University of Cologne).

6. Relative Deprivation: Understanding the Dynamics of Discontent (Jenny Carrillo, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Alexandra F. Corning, University of Notre Dame, Tara C. Dennehy, San Francisco State University, and Faye J. Crosby, University of California, Santa Cruz).

Part III: Social Reinforcement:

7. Evaluating Fairness: Critical Assessment of Equity Theory (Denise M. Polk, West Chester University of Pennsylvania).

8. Interdependence in Social Interaction (Ann C. Rumble, Ohio University–Chillicothe).

Part IV: Self:

9. Self–Categorization and Social Identification: Making Sense of Us and Them (Katharina Schmid, Miles Hewstone, New College, University of Oxford), and Ananthi Al Ramiah, University of Oxford).

10. Social Categorization Theories: From Culture to Cognition (Richard J. Crisp, University of Kent and Angela T. Maitner, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates).

11. Symbolic Interactionism: From Gestalt to Cybernetics (Andreas Schneider, Texas Tech University).

12. Impression Management: Influencing Perceptions of Self (Meni Koslowsky and Shani Pindek, Bar–Ilan University).

Author Index.

Subject Index.

Derek Chadee is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Behavioural Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, where he is also Director of the ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre. He is co–editor of Current Themes in Social Psychology (2006) with Jason Young, and has been published in numerous journals including the Journal of Cross–Cultural Psychology, the British Journal of Criminology, International Victimization, and Media and Culture.

Theories in Social Psychologyis a handy resource for researchers and students of social psychology Theories in Social Psychologyis a handy resource for researchers and students of social psychology.   (Dharma Deepika, 1 June 2013)