Applying Social Psychology: From Problems to Solutions (SAGE Social Psychology Program) - Softcover

Buunk, Abraham P; Van Vugt, Mark

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1446249085 ISBN 13: 9781446249086

Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd, 2013

Synopsis

The Second Edition of this best selling textbook continues to offer a simple, systematic, step-by-step guide to doing applied psychology.  

Using the authors′ own PATH model, the text presents a new methodology for applying primarily social psychological theory to a wide range of social problems.

With real-world case studies, end-of-chapter exercises and interviews with leading social psychologists, Applying Social Psychology 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.

Written in the same engaging and accessible way, this Second Edition offers:

• A new appendix with examples of PATH model applications
• An extended glossary
• Case studies from organizational, health, and environmental psychology
• Recent applied social psychology research
• More focus on applied evolutionary psychology
• Social network analysis and social media as research tools.

This 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 based upon social psychological theory and research.

About this title

About the Author:

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.

Review:

′This 2nd edition by Buunk and Van Vugt is a major contribution to understanding the role of Applied Social Psychology′s relevance in dealing with societal problems. It is coherently written and inspiring to students clearly demonstrating the application of psychological theories and knowledge to a variety of everyday problems. For Practitioners the PATH model is a must have "tool" in their armoury, it reflects competency in the field, ensuring a structured approach to a theoretical and empirically-based intervention plan. Highly recommended.′ Author: Dr Carmen-Maria Fyfe

Recognising the need for practical examples and illustration to convey the step-by-step approach, each chapter is enhanced with a number of interesting features. Interviews with prominent applied social psychologists, such as Gerjo Kok, will provide a welcome respite to students who may struggle with the sometimes dense and detailed description of the phases. Case studies are used to illustrate practical examples of each phase in action. There are also engaging practical activities, which an instructor could adapt for use in the classroom. Author: Emma L. Davies

About this edition

• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1446249085
• ISBN 13: 9781446249086
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 200