Applying Social Psychology: From Problems to Solutions

Front Cover
SAGE Publications, 2008 - Psychology - 162 pages
`I think this is a wonderful book. The social psychological theories are exceptionally well presented for practical use. Anyone studying social psychology will find this book extremely relevant and accessible' - Gerjo Kok, Professor of Applied Psychology, Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University

`This is a highly readable book dealing with an exciting topic, applied social psychology, which is at the heart of many urgent problems of the new millennium. It is well suited for curing the disease of those who still believe there is an opposition between fundamental and applied research, between theories and practice. The major asset of this volume lies in the originality and strength of the PATH concept -- from problem definition, over analysis, and test, to helping. I like the idea to implement and institutionalize this framework in teaching and in education' - Klaus Fiedler, University of Heidelberg

Introducing a new methodological approach for doing applied psychology, the PATH model, this book offers a simple, systematic, step-by-step, easy-to-use methodology for applying primarily social psychological theory to a wide range of social problems, from tackling crime and prejudice to fostering environmental conservation and team performance.

It helps and guides students to define a problem, conduct a theory-based analysis, develop an explanatory model, set up and execute a research project to test the model, and develop an intervention.

Applying Social Psychology is a highly practical text, which can be used by introductory and advanced level students who want to learn how to analyze practical problems and develop solutions for these problems based upon social psychological theory and research.

Written in an engaging and accessible way, this book offers:

1. A new methodological model put forward by the authors (PATH model);

2. Real world case studies;

3. End of chapter exercises;

4. Interviews with leading social psychologists;

5.Glossary of key theories and concepts in social psychology;

6. Recommended further reading.

From inside the book

Contents

From a Problem Definition to Analysis and Explanation
16
FROM A PROBLEM TO
25
FINDING THEORYBASED
55
Copyright

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About the author (2008)

Mark Van Vugt is Professor of Social and Organizational Psychology at VU University, the Netherlands, and he holds honorary positions at the University of Oxford and the University of Kent, United Kingdom. He started his academic studies in Psychology in the Netherlands and he worked at various universities in the UK before returning to his birth town Amsterdam to take on a professorship in Psychology. He has published over 100 articles in outlets such as Nature, Psychological Science, and the American Psychologist on various topics in social, organizational and evolutionary psychology, including leadership and management, altruism and cooperation, social identity and intergroup conflict, sex differences, transport and environmental sustainability. He is a former Associate Editor of Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and co-author of several books, including a trade book on leadership, titled “Selected”(Profile/Harper, 2010). Mark Van Vugt is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Arts in London and blogs on Psychology Today.

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