ABSTRACT

This book showcases 28 intriguing social psychological experiments that have significantly advanced our understanding of human social thinking and behavior. Each chapter focuses on the details and implications of a single study, while citing related research and real-life examples along the way. All the chapters are fully self-contained, allowing them to be read in any order without loss of coherence. This 2nd Edition contains a number of new studies and, together with its lively, conversational tone, it makes an ideal text for courses in social psychology, introductory psychology, or research design.

chapter |4 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|10 pages

Going Along to Get Along

Conforming to Group Norms

chapter 2|11 pages

Clashing Cognitions

When Actions Prompt Attitudes

chapter 3|8 pages

Baptism of Fire

When Suffering Leads to Liking

chapter 4|11 pages

Just Following Orders

A Shocking Demonstration of Obedience to Authority

chapter 5|9 pages

“Who, Me?”

The Failure of Bystanders to Intervene in Emergencies

chapter 6|7 pages

Of Roaches and Men

Social Enhancement and Inhibition of Performance

chapter 7|8 pages

Us and Them

Discrimination on the Basis of Trivial Social Categorization

chapter 8|7 pages

The Sauntering Samaritan

When Context Conquers Character

chapter 9|9 pages

Taking the Magic Out of the Markers

The Hidden Cost of Rewards

chapter 10|9 pages

The Burglar’s Situation

Actor-Observer Differences in Explaining Behavior

chapter 11|8 pages

We’re Number One!

Basking in Others’ Glory

chapter 12|7 pages

Hooded Hoodlums

The Role of Deindividuation in Antisocial Behavior

chapter 13|8 pages

Familiarity Breeds Liking

The Endearing Effects of Mere Exposure

chapter 14|9 pages

Strangers to Ourselves

The Shortcomings of Introspection

chapter 15|9 pages

What Did You Expect?

The Behavioral Confirmation of the Physical Attractiveness Stereotype

chapter 16|8 pages

The Calvinist’s Conundrum

Unconsciously Engineering Good Omens

chapter 17|10 pages

Believing Is Seeing

Partisan Perceptions of Media Bias

chapter 18|9 pages

Love Thy Neighbor or Thyself?

Empathy as a Source of Altruism

chapter 19|10 pages

When Two Become One

Expanding the Self to Include the Other

chapter 20|9 pages

The Eye Is Quicker Than the Mind

Believing Precedes Disbelieving

chapter 21|10 pages

Mythical Memories

Reconstructing the Past in the Present

chapter 22|11 pages

Pitfalls of Purpose

Ironic Processes in Mood Control

chapter 23|13 pages

Digital Diagnosis

Technical Tools for Unearthing the Unconscious

chapter 24|9 pages

Frames of Mind

Taking Risks or Playing Safe?

chapter 25|9 pages

The Wrath of the Rejected

Being Shut Out Makes One Lash Out

chapter 26|7 pages

Prosocial Scuttlebutt

Sharing the Bad to Promote the Good

chapter 27|8 pages

Loving Regards

Antidote to Existential Terror

chapter 28|9 pages

Punishing Perpetrators

Motivated Belief in Free Will