The Social Animal (A Series of Books in Psychology)

'As one would expect from an author of Aronson's stature, The Social Animal is a book that is provocative and eminently readable.' - British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 'A rare gem of a book, easy to read but also scientifically sophisticated.' - Contemporary Sociology 'Aronson writes with an astonishing combination of passion, wisdom and humour. The Social Animal is a great book.' - Grzna Wieczorkowska, Director, Institute for Social Studies, Warsaw University, Poland Completely revised and updated, this new edition of The Social Animal is a compelling introduction to modern social psychology. Through vivid narrative, lively presentations of important research and intriguing examples, Elliot Aronson probes the patterns and motives of human behaviour, covering such diverse topics as conformity, obedience, politics, race relations, advertising, war, interpersonal attraction and the power of religious cults. The accompanying volume Readings About The Social Animal is arranged to illustrate the major themes of the text. This collection of articles from psychological journals, forms the perfect companion for any introductory text. How are the beliefs and behaviors of people influenced by others? For more than twenty years, Elliot Aronson's The Social Animal has been captivating readers by looking at the answers to this multifaceted question. Presenting the story of modern social psychology as a vivid, engaging narrative, Aronson has provided the most authoritative and accessible introduction to the field available. And by staying close to the real work of social psychologists, he ensures that each new edition incorporates the most important recent research and insights. The result: a classic - venerable yet vibrant. . With this new edition, Aronson updates his examination of the patterns and motives of human behavior. Focusing on classic and contemporary studies on conformity, sexual attraction, politics, race relations, advertising, war, and scientific ethics, he incorporates much new information and understanding, including analyses of the Los Angeles riots, U.S. involvement in Somalia, the controversies over false memory and smokers' rights, and other front-page events. The Social Animal captures the creativity of scientific inquiry into human interaction. It draws readers into the excitement of social psychology while clearly explaining its fundamental principles and applications to everyday life. "Thoroughly revised and updated, the new edition of this APA National Media Award-winner remains a compelling introduction to modern social psychology. Through vivid narrative, lively presentations of important research, and intriguing examples, acclaimed teacher, writer, and researcher Elliot Aronson probes the patterns and motives of human behavior, covering such diverse topics as conformity, obedience, politics, race relations, advertising, war, interpersonal attraction, and the power of religious cults."