The Person In Social Psychology (psychology Focus)

111 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 137 The Person in Social Psychology ‘Burr provides a clear introduction to a wide range of interesting alternatives to experimental social psychology . . . it was only when I reached the end of the book that I realised how thorough she had been in going about the business of undermining the foundations of mainstream psychology.’ John L. Smith, Reader in Social Psychology, University of Sunderland Traditional social psychology assumes that the person has an already-existing nature that then becomes subject to the influence of social environment. The Person in Social Psychology challenges this model, drawing on theories from micro-sociology and contemporary European social psychology to suggest a more ‘social’ re-framing of the person. In this book Vivien Burr has provided a radical new agenda for students of social psychology and sociology. Using concepts familiar to the social psychologist such as norms, roles, demand characteristics and labelling she argues for an understanding of the person, where the social world is not a set of variables that affect a pre-existing individual, but is instead the arena where the person becomes formed. Vivien Burr is a Principal Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Huddersfield. Her previous publications include Gender and Social Psychology (Routledge, 1998) and An Introduction to Social Constructionism (Routledge, 1995). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Psychology Focus Series editor: Perry Hinton, University of Luton The Psychology Focus series provides students with a new focus on key topic areas in psychology. It supports students taking modules in psychology, whether for a psychology degree or a combined programme, and those renewing their qualification in a related discipline. Each short book: ■ ■ ■ ■ presents clear, in-depth coverage of a discrete area with many applied examples assumes no prior knowledge of psychology has been written by an experienced teacher has chapter summaries, annotated further reading and a glossary of key terms. Also available in this series: Friendship in Childhood and Adolescence Phil Erwin Stereotypes, Cognition and Culture Perry R. Hinton Gender and Social Psychology Vivien Burr Psychology and ‘Human Nature’ Peter Ashworth Jobs, Technology and People Nik Chmiel Abnormal Psychology Alan Carr Learning and Studying James Hartley Attitudes and Persuasion Phil Erwin Personality: A Cognitive Approach Jo Brunas-Wagstaff Intelligence and Abilities Colin Cooper Stress, Cognition and Health Tony Cassidy Types of Thinking S. Ian Robertson Psychobiology of Human Motivation Hugh Wagner 111 The Person in Social Psychology ■ Vivien Burr 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 First published 2002 by Psychology Press Ltd 27 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2FA www