"The set offers clear descriptions of commonly used and sometimes misunderstood terms, e.g., cultural differences, authoritarian personality, and neuroticism. The field has expanded since publication of The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Social Psychology, ed. by A. Manstead and M. Hewstone et al. (CH, Jan ′96, 33-2457), and this work is a valuable response to that. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels."
—CHOICE

Not long ago, social psychology was a small field consisting of creative, energetic researchers bent on trying to study a few vexing problems in normal adult human behavior with rigorous scientific methods. In a few short decades, the field has blossomed into a major intellectual force, with thousands of researchers worldwide exploring a stunningly diverse set of fascinating phenomena with an impressive arsenal of research methods and ever more carefully honed theories.

The Encyclopedia of Social Psychology is designed as a road map to this rapidly growing and important field and provides individuals with a simple, clear, jargon-free introduction. These two volumes include more than 600 entries chosen by a diverse team of experts to comprise an exhaustive list of the most important concepts. Entries provide brief, clear, and readable explanations to the vast number of ideas and concepts that make up the intellectual and scientific content in the area of social psychology.

Key Features

Provides background to each concept, explains what researchers are now doing with it, and discusses where it stands in relation to other concepts in the field
Translates jargon into plain, clear, everyday language rather than speaking in the secret language of the discipline
Offers contributions from prominent, well-respected researchers extending over the many subfields of social psychology that collectively have a truly amazing span of expertise

Key Themes

Action Control
Antisocial Behaviors
Attitude
Culture
Emotions
Evolution
Groups
Health
History
Influence
Interpersonal Relationships
Judgment and Decision Making
Methods
Personality
Prejudice
Problem Behaviors
Prosocial Behaviors
Self
Social Cognition
Subdisciplines

The Encyclopedia of Social Psychology is the first resource to present students, researchers, scholars, and practitioners with state-of-the-art research and ready-to-use facts from this fascinating field. It is a must have resource for all academic libraries.