Identities, Groups and Social Issues (Published in association with The Open University)

"This is a splendid book in which psychology goes public. Identities, Groups, and Social Issues provides an exciting discussion of how mental processes adapt to the complexities of social interaction in organized social groups. While psychological in emphasis, this volume never loses sight of the historical and political settings in which people live." --Jerome Bruner, New York University Identities, Groups, and Social Issues is a comprehensive and clear textbook on the social psychology of collective life. Covering groups (both small and large), social organizations and institutions, shared processes of sensemaking, representations and discourse, social norms, and social roles, this accessible overview guides the reader through these important theoretical and empirical developments in social psychology. The book has a strong historical focus, both following social psychological developments since the 1920s to the present day and discussing contemporary work in this historical context. The authors cover a representative mix of European and North American work, recognizing and explaining the plurality of perspectives in the discipline. It will be invaluable for all students and academics in social psychology.

Margaret Wetherell is Professor of Social Psychology at the Open University, UK and Director of the Economic and Social Research Council Programme on Identities and Social Action.