Book Description
This book offers a unique integrated approach to social behavior. Using a "goal directed" approach, the authors organize the book around a "Goal, Person, Situation" framework using a pair of unifying themes: --Social behavior is goal-directed. --Social behavior is a result of interactions between the person and the situation. By using these two simple organizing themes, the book presents the discipline as a coherent framework for understanding human conduct. Compelling mysteries, cutting-edge scholarship, lively writing, and the authors' reputations as both respected researchers and teachers, all come together to make this book an accessible and engaging read. For students of psychology, or anyone interested in learning more about social behavior.

From the Back Cover
Offering the first truly integrated presentation of social psychology, this innovative book uses two central themes to provide a big-picture view. To capture the excitement of discovery and mystery that surrounds the science of social behavior, the authors use the metaphor of social psychologist as detective. Each chapter opens with a mystery -- a real life example of human behavior - and lets the solution unfold throughout the chapter with the help of basic principles and findings of social psychological research. Compelling themes, cutting edge scholarship and lively writing combine to make this an appealing and distinguished introduction to the field.

The two central themes of this book are (1) social behavior is goal directed; and 2) social behavior is the result of interactions between the person and the situation. The book begins by describing the field, then moves on to discuss the systems that affect social behavior; social cognition; self-presentation; persuasion; social influence; affiliation, love, and romantic relationships; prosocial and aggressive behavior; prejudice; groups; and global social dilemmas. For anyone who wants to understand social behavior and why people act the way they do.