Introduction

Welcome! This book is about the fascinating—and yet often misunderstood—subject of social psychology. It features 28 intriguing studies that shed light on human social thinking and behavior. The studies, mostly laboratory experiments, address such topics as conformity to group norms, unrestrained mob behavior, coping with the prospect of death, the functions of gossip, and the shortcomings of introspection. The studies will help you understand many social phenomena that would otherwise remain deeply puzzling, such as intense loyalty to questionable groups, the operation of unconscious prejudice, the failure of bystanders to help in emergencies, the tragic consequences of social ostracism, and the nature of love. We chose each study because it raised a question of theoretical significance or addressed an issue of practical importance, and because it was ingeniously designed and carefully executed.