Resolving Social Conflicts: And, Field Theory in Social Science

APA is proud to reissue these two classics by Kurt Lewin, Resolving Social Conflicts and Field Theory in Social Science, in one comprehensive volume. In Resolving Social Conflicts, Lewin's writings reflect the applied psychologist—his practical interests in the nature and causes of social conflicts and his search for techniques in preventing and resolving them. In Field Theory in Social Science, his concerns are those of the social scientist and the conceptual and methodological tools for understanding the individual and society. Kurt Lewin is best known as the foremost proponent of "field theory"--The notion that individuals, and the groups that surround them, are not independent elements but interdependent. The social group, Lewin believed, is the primary shaper of a person's thoughts, feelings and behaviour. The concept is now so commonly held that it's hard to imagine that it was ever considered "groundbreaking". Yet it doesn't begin to cover the range of pioneering work that Lewin contributed to social and personality psychology. Through his prolific research and writing, he brought innovative concepts to both the methods and the language of social psychology. Throughout his life, Lewin struggled to adhere to his self-imposed vision of the researcher who maintains a "constant intense tension" between theory and reality. His favourite metaphor was that of a bridge, connecting research with action, laboratory with community. This reprinted volume seeks to reacquaint students and historians of psychology with Lewin's enduring contributions to social psychology. Translated from the German, it provides a foray into Lewin's work and into his idiosyncratic vision Because of the pervasiveness of K. Lewin's intellectual contributions to contemporary social psychology, [2 volumes of his collected writings, "Resolving Social Conflicts," and "Field Theory in Social Science," are being reissued in this] one comprehensive volume. The reissuing as a single volume is being done in part because, as D. Cartwright wrote in his Preface, both volumes are integrally related parts of Lewin's work. In "Resolving Social Conflicts," Lewin's writings reflect the applied psychologist--his practical interests in the nature and causes of social conflicts and his search for techniques in preventing and resolving them. In "Field Theory in Social Science," his concerns are those of the social scientist and the conceptual and methodological tools for understanding the individual and society. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved) Kurt Lewin is best known as the foremost proponent of "field theory" - the notion that individuals, and the groups that surround them, are not independent elements but interdependent. This volume seeks to reacquaint students and historians with Lewin's contributions to social psychology. The major theme of this book is the influence of the group to which an individual belongs -- the ground for his perceptions, his feelings, and his actions. First work originally published: New York : Harper and Row, 1948. 2nd work originally published: New York : Harper, c1951