Social Psychology

This is a major textbook in social psychology which deliberately adopts a critical, unconventional approach. Until recently social psychology seemed to have escaped relatively lightly from the climate of critical questioning which has characterized other areas of the social sciences. But this has changed: it is now possible to identify a clear forum of challenge, which could be described as "critical social psychology." Social Psychology draws upon and consolidates this new current of thinking, while at the same time providing a wide-ranging and critical introduction to the field. It introduces students to the concepts, methods and debates in social psychology, but does so in a way that is questioning rather than dogmatic. The overall argument of the book is that social psychology has not uncovered the origins of social behaviour and experience but has "brought them into being" by virtue of the theories and narratives constructed by it. Social Psychology is a textbook with a difference, introducing the central issues and concerns of social psychology within a framework of critical scrutiny. It is suitable for first and second year undergraduates in psychology and social psychology.

Preface xi Acknowlegements and Dedications xiv Part I 1: The mission, Message and Marketing of Social Psychology 1 2: Towards a Critical Social Psychology 15 Part II 3: From Personality to Textual Identities 42 4: Between Ourselves 70 5: In Social Worlds 98 Part III 6: From Attitudes to Opinionation as Discourse 111 7: Science and Common Sense 131 Part IV 8: From Animosity to Atrocity - Social Psychology Explains Aggression 149 9: Social Emotions 173 10: Ponosexualities - Challenging the Missionary Position 192 Part V 11: Methods of Enquiry 225 12: Inconclusions 255 Bibliography 273 Index 299