Publisher Description

Classic and Contemporary Perspectives in Social Psychology illuminates the dynamic linkages among social organization, interaction processes, attitudes, and the self. It exposes students to the broad range of topics of interest to social psychologists and to the diverse methods that they use. Bringing together a wide variety of captivating classic and contemporary selections, this anthology includes work from a symbolic interactionist perspective as well asstudies informed by expectation states theory, experimental social psychology, and life course sociology. The selections address the social psychological underpinnings and outcomes of group dynamics, socialstratification, bureaucracy, deviant behavior, globalization, and technological change.The reader's innovative structure allows students to experience the foundational work of influential sociologists and psychologists through the lens of cutting-edge issues. This groundbreaking collection features brief excerpts from the classic literature of social psychology (by Emory Bogardus, Melvin Kohn, Stanley Milgram, Muzafer Sherif, Philip Zimbardo, and others). These texts arepaired with explanatory comments by the editors and contemporary writings that show the earlier studies' relevance to contemporary social issues. Classic and Contemporary Perspectives in SocialPsychology is enhanced by several pedagogical features, including introductory comments that highlight the connections between the classic and contemporary selections, highly engaging discussion questions for each article and unit, and a wide variety of supplemental resources (readings, websites, films, and radio programs). It is ideal for both undergraduate and graduate courses in social psychology.

Author Biography

Sharon E. Preves is associate Professor and Chair of Sociology at Hamline University.Jeylan T. Mortimer is Professor of Sociology at the University of Minnesota.

Table of Contents

I. UNDERSTANDING AND STUDYING SOCIAL LIFEA. The Social Construction of RealityClassic:1. "Body Ritual among the Nacirema," Horace Miner2. "Death as Theater: A Dramaturgical Analysis of the American Funeral," Ralph Turner and Charles EdgleyContemporary:3. "The Smile Factory: Work at Disneyland," John Van MaanenB. Studying Social LifeClassic:4. "Whose Side Are We On?" Howard S. Becker5. "Can You Really Study an Army in the Laboratory?" Morris ZelditchContemporary:6. "Methodological Approach to Social Psychology," Gary Alan Fine, James S. House, and Karen S. CookII. THE PERSON IN SOCIETYA. SocializationClassic:7. "Becoming a Marihuana User," Howard S. BeckerContemporary:8. "Invisible Inequality: Social Class and Childrearing in Black Families and White Families," Annette Lareau9. "Working and Becoming Adult," Jeylan T. MortimerB. Symbolic Communication and LanguageClassic:10. "Final Note on a Case of Extreme Isolation," Kingsley DavisContemporary:11. "Language and Patriarchy," William M. O'BarrC. Social Perception and CognitionClassic:12. "Forming Impressions of Personalities," Solomon E. AschContemporary:13. "When the Light's on and Nobody's Home," and "Decreasing Prejudice by Increasing Discrimination," Ellen Langer14. "Self-Processes and Emotional Experiences," Morris RosenbergD. Self-Presentation and Impression ManagementClassic:15. "Regions and Region Behavior," Erving GoffmanContemporary:16. "From 'Nerds' to 'Normals': The Recovery of Identity among Adolescents from Middle School to High School," David A. KinneyIII. INTERACTION IN GROUPSA. Interpersonal Attraction and RelationshipsClassic:17. "The Nature of Love: A Researcher's Odyssey," Zick RubinContemporary:18. "'Cooling Out' Men in Singles Bars and Night Clubs: Observations on the Interpersonal Survival Strategies of Women in Public Places," David A. Snow, Cherylon Robinson, and Patricia L. McCall19. "Changing Our Yesterdays: Reconstruction of Early Relationship Memories," Diane Holmberg, Terri L. Orbuch, and Joseph VeroffB. The Definition of the SituationClassic:20. "The Psychology of Imprisonment: Privation, Power, and Pathology," Philip G. Zimbardo, Craig Haney, W. Curtis Banks, and David JaffeContemporary:21. "When Women Abuse Power, Too," Melissa Sheridan Embser-Herbert22. "The Psychology of Evil: Situated Character Transformations," Philip G. ZimbardoC. Conformity and ObedienceClassic:23. "Effects of Group Pressure Upon the Modification and Distortion of Judgments," Solomon E. Asch24. "Behavioral Study of Obedience," Stanley MilgramContemporary:25. "The My Lai Massacre: A Military Crime of Obedience," Herbert C. Kelman and V. Lee HamiltonD. Helping and AltruismClassic:26. "Social Determinants of Bystander Intervention in Emergencies," Bibb Latané and John M. DarleyContemporary:27. "Aid in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: Inferences of Secondary Emotions and Intergroup Helping," Amy J. C. Cuddy, Mindi S. Rock, and Michael I. Norton28. "Giving to Others during National Tragedy: The Effects of Altruistic and Egoistic Motivations on Long-Term Giving," Rachel L. Piferi, Rebbeca L. Jobe, and Warren H. JonesE. Group Process and PerformanceClassic:29. "Superordinate Goals in the Reduction of Intergroup Conflict," Muzafer SherifContemporary:30. "Shared Fantasy: Role Playing Games as Social Worlds," Gary Alan FineIV. CONSTRUCTING A SOCIAL SELFComic Strip: "F Minus, "Cell Block D":A. The Social SelfClassic:31. "The Social Self," Charles Horton Cooley32. "The Self," George Herbert MeadContemporary:33. "Social Space, the Final Frontier: Adolescents on the Internet," Kate HellengaB. Deviance and LabelingClassic:34. "On Being Sane in Insane Places," David L. Rosenhan35. "The Discovery of Hyperkinesis: Notes on the Medicalization of Deviant Behavior," Peter Conrad36. "Coming Out and Crossing Over: Identity Formation and Proclamation in a Transgender Community," Patricia Gangé, Richard Tewksbury, and Deanna McGaugheyC. StigmaClassic:37. "Having the Abortion" and "Moving On: Restructuring Social Worlds and Establishing Closure, Mary K. ZimmermanContemporary:38. "Managing Emotions in Public: The Case of Wheelchair Users," Spencer E. Cahill and Robin Eggleston39. "Confronting Deadly Disease: The Drama of Identity Construction among Gay Men with AIDS," Kent L. SandstromV. SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGYA. Race and EthnicityClassic:40. "Of Our Spiritual Strivings," W.E.B. Du Bois41. "That Powerful Drop," Langston HughesContemporary:42. "Medicalization of Racial Features: Asian American Women and Cosmetic Surgery," Eugenia Kaw43. "The Blacker the Berry: Gender, Skin Tone, Self-Esteem, and Self-Efficacy," Maxine S. Thompson and Verna M. KeithB. Social ClassClassic:44. "Social Class and Parental Values," Melvin KohnContemporary:45. "The Interactive Relationship between Class Identity and College Experience: The Case of Lower Income Students," Elizabeth Aries and Maynard Seider46. "Teenagers in Clarendon Heights: The Hallway Hangers and the Brothers," Jay MacLeodC. GenderClassic:47. "Men and Women of the Corporation: The Population," Rosabeth Moss KanterContemporary:48. "Gendered Jobs and Gendered Workers," "Riding the Glass Escalator," and "Masculinity in 'Feminine' Occupations," Christine L. Williams49. "Drag Kinging and the Transformation of Gender Identities," Eve ShapiroVI. CHANGING WORLDS, CHANGING SELVESA. Global and Postmodern IdentitiesClassic:50. "The Stranger," Georg SimmelContemporary:51. "What of the Children? Emerging Homes and Identities," Yen Le Espiritu52. "The New Adulthood? The Transition to Adulthood from the Perspective of Transitioning Young Adults," Douglas Hartmann and Teresa Toguchi SwartzB. Border Patrol: Insiders and OutsidersClassic:53. "A Social Distance Scale," Emory Bogardus54. "Atheists as 'Other': Moral Boundaries and Cultural Membership in American Society," Penny Edgell, Joseph Gerteis, and Douglass Hartmann55. "Terrorism, Identity, and Public Order: A Perspective From Goffman," Andrew WeigertC. The Power of Belief: Collective Action and Social MovementsClassic:56. "Unfulfilled Prophecies and Disappointed Messiahs," Leon Festinger, Henry Riecken, and Stanley SchacterContemporary:57. "Out of the O.R. and Into the Streets: Exploring the Impact of Intersex Media Activism," Sharon Preves

Review

"Sharon Preves and Jeylan Mortimer, both leading researchers, have compiled a lively set of classic and current writings on social psychology that taken together indicate that important themes have tied the discipline for a century. This collection of grand works--from Georg Simmel and George Herbert Mead to current practitioners such as Philip Zimbardo and David Snow--indicate the continued energy of the field. Students who are provided with such an array ofscholarship will be inspired to continue the bridge building that this volume does so effectively."--Gary Alan Fine, Northwestern University"Classic and Contemporary Perspectives in Social Psychology shows students that social psychology is the study of many various social behaviors. It allows students to see how perspectives and topics of study in social psychology have changed over time, and how approaches can be applied to different areas of study. They also have the opportunity to read some of the classic writings in social psychology. This is a really unique and useful set ofreadings (and discussion questions). Very thoughtful organization too!"--Terri L. Orbuch, Oakland University"I am quite pleased that the book offers so much information in one place. I spend countless hours searching the web for these kinds of resources! Additionally, I like the use of both contemporary and classic texts. Preves and Mortimer have chosen the very best of social psychology in this book, and I'm confident that this book will inspire many undergraduates and grab the interest of even more students. . . . It is a one-stop resource for teachers."--TiffaniEverett, University of Georgia"I like the inclusiveness of the topics and their match with many of the existing texts in social psychology. In addition, the juxtaposing of classic and contemporary readings gives the sense both of past and present interest in the topics. Also, the inclusion of "suggested readings, relevant internet sources, select comic strip 'intros,' classroom exercises, and assignments" heighten the usefulness of the book."--Norman Goodman, Stony Brook University

Promotional

The most accessible, balanced, and comprehensive social psychology reader available

Long Description

Classic and Contemporary Perspectives in Social Psychology illuminates the dynamic linkages among social organization, interaction processes, attitudes, and the self. It exposes students to the broad range of topics of interest to social psychologists and to the diverse methods that they use. Bringing together a wide variety of captivating classic and contemporary selections, this anthology includes work from a symbolic interactionist perspective as well as
studies informed by expectation states theory, experimental social psychology, and life course sociology. The selections address the social psychological underpinnings and outcomes of group dynamics, social stratification, bureaucracy, deviant behavior, globalization, and technological
change.The reader's innovative structure allows students to experience the foundational work of influential sociologists and psychologists through the lens of cutting-edge issues. This groundbreaking collection features brief excerpts from the classic literature of social psychology (by Emory Bogardus, Melvin Kohn, Stanley Milgram, Muzafer Sherif, Philip Zimbardo, and others). These texts are paired with explanatory comments by the editors and contemporary writings that
show the earlier studies' relevance to contemporary social issues. Classic and Contemporary Perspectives in Social Psychology is enhanced by several pedagogical features, including introductory comments that highlight the connections between the classic and contemporary selections, highly engaging
discussion questions for each article and unit, and a wide variety of supplemental resources (readings, websites, films, and radio programs). It is ideal for both undergraduate and graduate courses in social psychology.

Review Text

"Sharon Preves and Jeylan Mortimer, both leading researchers, have compiled a lively set of classic and current writings on social psychology that taken together indicate that important themes have tied the discipline for a century. This collection of grand works--from Georg Simmel and George Herbert Mead to current practitioners such as Philip Zimbardo and David Snow--indicate the continued energy of the field. Students who are provided with such an array of
scholarship will be inspired to continue the bridge building that this volume does so effectively."--Gary Alan Fine, Northwestern University
"Classic and Contemporary Perspectives in Social Psychology shows students that social psychology is the study of many various social behaviors. It allows students to see how perspectives and topics of study in social psychology have changed over time, and how approaches can be applied to different areas of study. They also have the opportunity to read some of the classic writings in social psychology. This is a really unique and useful set of
readings (and discussion questions). Very thoughtful organization too!"--Terri L. Orbuch, Oakland University
"I am quite pleased that the book offers so much information in one place. I spend countless hours searching the web for these kinds of resources! Additionally, I like the use of both contemporary and classic texts. Preves and Mortimer have chosen the very best of social psychology in this book, and I'm confident that this book will inspire many undergraduates and grab the interest of even more students. . . . It is a one-stop resource for teachers."--Tiffani
Everett, University of Georgia
"I like the inclusiveness of the topics and their match with many of the existing texts in social psychology. In addition, the juxtaposing of classic and contemporary readings gives the sense both of past and present interest in the topics. Also, the inclusion of "suggested readings, relevant internet sources, select comic strip 'intros,' classroom exercises, and assignments" heighten the usefulness of the book."--Norman Goodman, Stony Brook University

Review Quote

"Sharon Preves and Jeylan Mortimer, both leading researchers, have compiled a lively set of classic and current writings on social psychology that taken together indicate that important themes have tied the discipline for a century. This collection of grand works--from Georg Simmel and George Herbert Mead to current practitioners such as Philip Zimbardo and David Snow--indicate the continued energy of the field. Students who are provided with such an array of scholarship will be inspired to continue the bridge building that this volume does so effectively."--Gary Alan Fine,NorthwesternUniversity "Classic and Contemporary Perspectives in Social Psychologyshows students that social psychology is the study of many various social behaviors. It allows students to see how perspectives and topics of study in social psychology have changed over time, and how approaches can be applied to different areas of study. They also have the opportunity to read some of the classic writings in social psychology. This is a really unique and useful set of readings (and discussion questions). Very thoughtful organization too!"--Terri L. Orbuch,Oakland University "I am quite pleased that the book offers so much information in one place. I spend countless hours searching the web for these kinds of resources! Additionally, I like the use of both contemporary and classic texts. Preves and Mortimer have chosen the very best of social psychology in this book, and I'm confident that this book will inspire many undergraduates and grab the interest of even more students. . . . It is a one-stop resource for teachers."--Tiffani Everett,University of Georgia

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