The Social Psychology of Good and Evil
Publisher: The Guilford Press
Published: February 10, 2004
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 498
ISBN-13: 9781572309890
Subjects: Behavioural theory (Behaviourism); Social, group or collective psychology; Violence; Helping behavior; Psychology; Good & Evil; Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology; Good and evil; Aggressiveness; Social Psychology
First sentence: Rage and disgust can serve for a time to satisfy the transitory ego-defensive needs of tourists and dilettantes; such feelings are melted away from minds that are held in the fires of the Holocaust for prolonged periods.
Description: "This text brings together an array of distinguished scholars to explore key concepts and findings pertaining to some of the most fundamental issues in social life: the conditions under which people are kind and helpful to others or, conversely, under which they commit harmful, even murderous, acts. The social contexts of good and evil behaviors are thoroughly examined, as are the influences of personality and cultural factors. Representing established and emerging social-psychological perspectives, the authors address such central questions as why good people do bad things and whether aggression with violence are inescapable aspects of human nature." "Yielding new insights into a topic of universal concern, and identifying important directions for further investigation, this book will be read with interest by researchers, scholars, and students in social psychology, sociology, and related behavioral and social science disciplines. It will serve as a text in advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level courses."--BOOK JACKET.