This comprehensive book is an earnest endeavour to acquaint the reader with a thorough understanding of all important basic concepts, methods and facts of social psychology. The exhaustive treatment of the topics, in a cogent manner, enables the students to grasp the subject in an easy-to-understand manner.
Logically organised into 17 chapters, the book commences with the introduction of social psychology, research methods, theoretical foundations, self and identity, social cognitions, perception and attribution, socialisation, social attitude and persuasion, and goes on to provide in-depth coverage of stereotyping, prejudices and discrimination, behaviours in groups, social norms and conformity behaviour, leadership and social power, interpersonal attraction and relationship, social influence, aggression, prosocial behaviour, language and communication, along with applications of social psychology.
The theme of the book incorporates latest concepts and researches, especially Indian researches and findings, thus making the book more understandable and applicable in Indian context.
Written in an engaging style, the book is intended for the undergraduate and postgraduate students of social psychology and sociology/social works.
Highlights of the Book
• The text encompasses adequate content of the subject required at the university level as well as for UGC/JRF examination.
• Every chapter begins with learning objectives, followed by key terms and ends with summary and review questions.
• The text emphasises clarity (avoids technical language) to enhance its effectiveness.
• Objective-type questions given at the end of the book test the students’ understanding of the concepts
• Glossary is provided at the end of the book to provide reference and at-a-glance understanding.
About the Author
Arun Kumar Singh, PhD, has been Professor and Head, Postgraduate Department of Psychology, Patna University, Bihar. Dr. Singh has been a distinguished teacher, administrator and researcher. He has served as Director, Institute of Psychological Research and Services, Patna University. Having teaching experience of more than four decades, he has contributed widely to the different leading journals in various areas of psychology, including social psychology. He has constructed and standardised 15 psychological tests, which have been widely used in psychological and educational researches all over India. He has also authored popular textbooks on psychology in English and Hindi.
Table of Contents:
Preface
1. Introducing Social Psychology
2. Research Methods in Social Psychology
3. Theoretical Foundations of Modern Social Psychology
4. Self and Identity
5. Social Cognition, Social Perception and Attribution
6. Socialisation
7. Social Attitudes and Persuasion
8. Stereotyping, Prejudice and Discrimination
9. Behaviours in Group
10. Social Norms and Conformity Behaviour
11. Leadership and Social Power
12. Interpersonal Attraction and Relationship
13. Social Influence
14. Aggression and Social Violence
15. Prosocial Behaviour: Altruistic and Helping Behaviour
16. Language and Communication
17. Applications of Social Psychology
Objective-type Questions • Glossary
