The Oxford Handbook of the Human Essence (Oxford Library of Psychology)

What is the human essence? In this handbook, a broad range of scholars in psychology wrestle with this core question. The question is too infrequently asked within psychology, yet is one of central interest to students and scholars in psychology, philosophy, sociology, public health, anthropology, and cognitive science. This new and exciting handbook contains a diverse set of intriguing answers from cutting-edge social-psychological theorizing and research; raises novel and important questions about human nature; and identifies new directions for future inquiry. The chapters are written in an essay-like style that allows contributors to articulate what the human essence is without jargon or empirical details. Furthermore, this handbook uniquely brings together scholars who otherwise would not be found in conversation (e.g., evolutionary approaches to the human essence and social constructivist accounts that essentially deny its existence). Addressing the question of the human essence is absolutely vital because it promotes reflection and debate about human nature and existence, as revealed in discussant and concluding chapters. Thus, this volume articulates what psychology can tell us about the human essence and illuminates why a social science of human behavior should develop broader and integrative theories that acknowledge the many different essences that define us. Preface -- Introduction: The Human Essence / John F. Dovidio And Martijn Van Zomeren -- Individuality -- An Existential Psychological Perspective On The Human Essence / Daniel Sullivan And Roman Palitsky -- Masters Of Our Universe: The Existential Animal / Travis Proulx -- Free Will And The Human Essence : Responsible Autonomy, Meaning And Cultural Participation / Roy F. Baumeister -- Essential Self-evaluation Motives : Caring About Who We Are / Aiden P. Gregg And Constantine Sedikides -- The Tripartite Motivational Human Essence : Value, Control, And Truth Working Together / James F.m. Cornwell And E. Tory Higgins -- People As Penguins : Thermoregulation As Part Of The Human Essence / Hans I. Jzerman And Lotje J. Hogerzeil -- The Obviousness And Obvious Limits Of Individuality As Human Essence / Martijn Van Zomeren -- Sociality -- Prosocial Behavior As A Human Essence / David A. Schroeder And William G. Graziano --^ The Human Essence In Helping Relations : Belongingness, Independence And Status / Arie Nadler -- Does Aggression Make Us Human? / Joseph A. Vandello And Curtis Puryear -- Morality And Social Identity / Naomi Ellemers -- Justice And Human Essence / Tom R. Tyler -- Biology As Destiny Or As Freedom? : On Reflexivity, Collectivity And The Realization Of Human Potential / Stephen Reicher -- Six Social Elements In Search Of An Essence / Roger Giner-sorolla -- Cultural Embeddedness -- Talking About Humanness : Is Human Essence Talk A Human Essence? / Yoshihisa Kashima -- Promotion Or Preventing Change Through Political Participation : About Political Actors, Movements, And Networks / Bert Klandermans -- Values And The Human Being / Jan Cieciuch And Shalom H. Schwartz -- The Relational Essence Of Cultural Psychology : Decolonizing Love And (well- ) Being / Glenn Adams, Sara Estrada-villalta, And Tugçe Kurtis -- Human Essence : Toward A Relational Reconstruction / Kenneth J. Gergen --^ Human Essences And Cultural Embeddedness : A Gene-culture Co-evolution Perspective / Ronald Fischer -- Human Essence In Conclusion : Why Psychology Needs A Bigger Picture And Some Suggestions On How To Get There / Martijn Van Zomeren And John F. Dovidio. Edited By Martijn Van Zomeren, John F. Dovidio. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. What is the human essence? Although typically viewed as one of the big questions in philosophy, exploring the human essence requires a deep and comprehensive understanding of the human condition and thus social psychological perspectives are pivotal. Advances in social-psychological theorizing and research suggest that humans can be viewed as biological beings as well as cultural creatures, rational reasoners as well as emotional enigmas, moral minds as well as amoral agents. In this volume, talented scholars come together to present a fascinating array of insight into such topics ranging from evolutionary approaches to social constructivist accounts that essentially deny the existence of a human essence altogether. As such, this volume showcases the various shades of human essence that social psychology has discovered. Through these novel chapters, edited by Martijn van Zomeren and John F. Dovidio, The Oxford Handbook of the Human Essence expertly articulates both what social psychology can tell us about the human essence, and the astonishing range of perspectives reflected within this field. Consequently, this volume also raises important questions about the future of social psychology and the role of the notion of the human essence. Oxford Handbooks offer authoritative and up-to-date reviews of original research in a particular subject area. Specially commissioned chapters from leading figures in the discipline give critical examinations of the progress and direction of debates, as well as a foundation for future research. Oxford Handbooks provide scholars and graduate students with compelling new perspective upon a wide range of subjects in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Book jacket Advances in social-psychological theorizing and research suggest that humans can be viewed as biological beings as well as cultural creatures, rational reasoners as well as emotional enigmas, moral minds as well as amoral agents. Edited by Martijn van Zomeren and John F. Dovidio, this handbook expertly articulates both what social psychology can tell us about the human essence, and the astonishing range of perspectives reflected within this field