Description
Book SynopsisThis timely and applied textbook brings together leading scientists to illustrate how key theories and concepts in social psychology help to predict and explain behavior, and can be successfully applied to benefit social and practical problems. It focuses on robust theories and models known for their successful applications and covers a diverse range of settings—spanning classroom interventions, health behavior, financial decision making, climate change and much more. Each chapter comprises of a theoretical section to define the key concepts and summarize the theory, providing evidence for its reliability and limitations from basic research, as well as an application section that summarizes research in an applied context and provides details about a particular study including the respective application setting. The textbook expertly shows how theory can make meaningful predictions for real world contexts, and isn’t afraid to explain the potential hurdles and pitfalls when applying a theory and its underlying set of concepts in a certain context. Crucially, this format moves towards theory testing in applied contexts, enabling a closer examination of why and under what circumstances interventions may be successful in obtaining a desired behavioral or psychological end-state.
Among the topics explored:
- Mindset theory of action phases and if-then planning
- Quality of motivation in self-determination theory
- The focus theory of normative conduct
- Social identity theory and intergroup contact theory
- Intergroup forgiveness
Social Psychology in Action is a critical resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in social and cultural psychology, as well as students of behavioral economics seeking to develop a deeper understanding of major theories and applications of the fields. Practitioners working in the areas of organizational behavior and management, health communication, social work, and educational science and pedagogy will also find the volume pertinent to their work.
Table of ContentsForeword -- The science of Social Psychology (Sassenberg, Vliek)
1. How to put theories to good use (Sassenberg, Vliek)
2. Braking habits: Reflective-impulsive model.
3. The shooter bias: Implicit prejudice. Chapter author: Bernd Wittenbrink (University of Chicago), Josh Correll (UC Bolder), & Debbie Ma (UC Northridge).
4. Rubicon model and implementation intentions. Chapter authors: Peter Gollwitzer, Maik Bieleke, & Lucas Keller (NYU).
5. Self-determination theory.
6. Social identity theory.
7. Theory of normative conduct. Chapter author: Denise de Ridder & Marijn Stok (Utrecht University, NL).
8. Theory of planned behaviour and the attitude behaviour gap.
9. Regulatory fit / focus theory. Chapter author: Kai Sassenberg & Micheal Vliek (Knowledge Media Research Center, Tübingen, Germany)
10. Intergroup contact theory.
11. Theory on interpersonal reconciliation.
12. Emotion theory (e.g., the use of fear-appeals etc).
13. Mindset theory.
14. Self-affirmation & Change.
15. Interdependence theory.
16. Social comparison.
