Applying Social Psychology: From Problems to Solutions

Front Cover
SAGE, Nov 15, 2007 - Psychology - 176 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.

 

Selected pages

Contents

Introduction
1
Chapter One Applying Social Psychology
3
Chapter Two The Problem Phase From a Problem to a Problem Definition
25
Chapter Three The Analysis Phase Finding TheoryBased Explanations f or Problems
55
Chapter Four The Test Phase Developing and Testing the Process Model
83
Chapter Five The Help Phase Developing The Intervention
105
Conclusion Looking Backward and Forward
134
Glossary
136
Bibliography
148
Index
158
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Applying Social Psychology: From Problems to Solutions
Bram Buunk,Mark Van Vugt
Snippet view - 2008
Applying Social Psychology: From Problems to Solutions
Abraham P Buunk,Mark Van Vugt
No preview available - 2007
Applying Social Psychology: From Problems to Solutions
Bram Buunk,Mark Van Vugt
No preview available - 2008

Common terms and phrases

altruism analysis applied social psychology asked assess attitudes Buunk causes channel Chapter charity Chief Constable client cognitive condom cooperation develop a process donate money effect ethnic officers evaluation evolutionary psychology example experience explanations factors feedback feel focus formulated HIV/AIDS in Africa implementation implementation intentions important individuals influence instance intervention programme interviews involved Journal lack method motivation negative obesity one’s outcome variable participants particular PATH model patients people’s perceived person perspective phase police force positive possible potential prob problem definition process model prosocial questions rational choice theory recruitment relationship relevant safe sex self-esteem situation smoking smoking cessation social comparison social comparison theory social dilemma social exchange theory social norms social psy social psychological literature social psychological theories social psychologist specific STDs strategy target group teenagers tion vention volunteers Vugt weight willingness to donate women

Popular passages

Page ii - ... program including and beyond the introductory level. The aim of the SAGE Cognitive Psychology Program is to offer both breadth and depth. Student textbooks are written by leading and experienced scholars in a style that is carefully crafted to be stimulating, engaging, and accessible. They are scholarly, comprehensive, and up-to-date, and boast the appropriate pedagogical devices and supplements — thus making them appropriate for building courses around a variety of levels. Reference works,...‎
Appears in 4 books from 2006-2007

About the author (2007)

Abraham (Bram) P. Buunk has been an Academy Professor in Evolutionary Social Psychology at the University of Groningen, on behalf of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, since 2005. His main current interest is the application of evolutionary theorizing to human social behaviour. He has published widely on applied topics, including professional burnout, jealousy, absenteeism, AIDS-prevention, loneliness, depression, marital satisfaction, well-being among the elderly, and coping with cancer. He is co-editor of Health, coping and well-being: Perspectives from social comparison theory (Erlbaum, 1997), and Solidarity and Prosocial Behaviour (Springer, 2006). He has served on scientific boards for the Dutch Cancer Foundation (NKB-KWF), and the Dutch AIDS Foundation. He was a member of the Programme Committee on Evolution and Behaviour of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). Currently Bram Buunk is conducting research in Latin America on various applied psychology themes.

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.

Bibliographic information

TitleApplying Social Psychology: From Problems to Solutions
SAGE Social Psychology Program
AuthorsAbraham P Buunk, Mark Van Vugt
PublisherSAGE, 2007
ISBN1446223027, 9781446223024
Length176 pages
Subjects › 

Psychology / Social Psychology
  
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