Social Psychology takes a sociological approach to the study of the individual in relationship to society. It′s main purpose is is to highlight how social psychology provides varied, yet inter-related, explanations for individuals’ experiences in groups. The text tells the story of how these dynamics unfold, beginning with the central social characteristics of the individual, to processes of perception and of interaction. In the telling of this story, it also notes some of the interesting cross-cultural comparisons in regard to these dynamics.
 
Review
"The greatest strength of [Social Psychology] is the quality of social psychologists that are included and the organization. I think that with each chapter they bring in the ′big names′ in research, and [that is] a very strong aspect of the text."
-- Curt G. Sobolewski Published On: 2008-06-01
"I really like the attention to small group processes (status and power processes get short-changed in most social psychology texts), the emphasis on theory, and the use of concrete examples to flesh out the theories [in Social Psychology]." 
-- David Diekema Published On: 2008-06-01
"I was especially happy to see an entire section dedicated to emotions and affect rather than including emotion at the end of another section. I likes that a greater portion of [Social Psychology] was dedicated to group processes than other available textbooks. I think that the final section of integration may be the strongest selling point for this book. Finally, the concrete examples anchoring each theory greatly appeal to me."
-- Lindsey Joyce Chamberlain Published On: 2008-06-01
 
About the Author
Karen Hegtvedt  is Professor of Sociology at Emory University. Her teaching and research focuses on social psychology and emotions, with special emphasis on the study of justice processes within groups. Karen′s work has appeared in Social Psychology Quarterly, Social Justice Research, Social Forces, Annual Review of Sociology, Advances in Group Processes, and other journals and edited volumes, and she is a former co-editor (with Cathryn Johnson) of Social Psychology Quarterly. She regularly teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in social psychology and her department′s graduate Teaching Sociology seminar. 
Cathryn Johnson is Professor of Sociology and Senior Associate Dean of Laney Graduate School at Emory University. Her areas of expertise include social psychology, organizations, identity processes, and emotions, with special emphasis on the study of legitimacy processes within groups and organizations. Cathryn′s work has appeared in American Sociological Review, American Journal of Sociology, Social Forces, Annual Review of Sociology, Social Psychology Quarterly, Social Justice Research, The Sociological Quarterly, Advances in Group Processes, and other journals and edited volumes. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in social psychology.