Routledge Social Thinking and Interpersonal Behavior (Sydney Symposium of Social Psychology)

The connection between mental and social life remains one of the most intriguing topics in all of psychology. This book reviews some of the most recent advances in research exploring the links between how people think and behave in interpersonal situations. The chapters represent a variety of theoretical orientations, ranging from evolutionary approaches through cognitive and affective theories, all the way to considering social and cultural influences on the relationship between social cognition and interpersonal behavior. Given its breadth of coverage, this volume is useful both as a basic reference book and as an informative textbook for advanced courses dealing with social cognition and interpersonal behavior. The main target audience comprises researchers, students, and professionals in all areas of the social and behavioral sciences, including social, cognitive, clinical, counseling, personality, organizational, forensic, and applied psychology, as well as sociology, communication studies, and social work. Written in a readable yet scholarly style, this volume serves as an engaging overview of the field for students in courses dealing with social cognition and social interaction at undergraduate and graduate levels. Review "You’ve got to hand it to that Sydney sunshine: not only does it attract some of the top minds in psychology to the Sydney Symposium each year (and there are stars aplenty in this year’s group), but judging from the chapters in this volume it seems to elevate everyone’s game. Chapter after chapter offers an insightful analysis of how intrapsychic and interpersonal processes (and their interaction) give rise to the complex, nuanced, and diverse social behavior we see around us everyday. The full range of what social psychology has to offer is on display here―from evolutionary to cognitive to social-cultural perspectives, and from current takes on classic theories to entirely new approaches―and this book should stand for quite some time as a valuable resource for students and researchers interested in the underpinnings of social life." - Professor Tom Gilovich, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA "Forgas and company (in this case Klaus Fiedler and Constantine Sedikides) have done it again! This time, putting out a must-have volume of recent converging and diverging thoughts and evidence on the relationship between social thought and social behavior with a stellar list of fresh and seasoned contributors." - Professor Jim Blascovich, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA "This volume poignantly illustrates the richness and diversity of the social cognition paradigm in application to a broad variety of psychological phenomena. Authored by stellar theorists and researchers, chapters in this book offer the reader insights into the problems, methods, and conceptual frameworks that define cutting-edge research in personality and social psychology. Another landmark volume in this important series, and a must-read for everyone interested in current directions and advances on fundamental psychological problems." - Arie W. Kruglanski, Distinguished University Professor, University of Maryland, College Park, USA