Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Is psychology good for our health? What is the effect of class on social behaviour? In this comprehensive and fully up-to-date accoung of the psychology of everyday life, Michael Argyle looks at the most interesting and practically important areas of social psychology. He takes social psychology out of the laboratory into real-life settings and helps us to understand the world in which we live. He covers many of the pressing concerns of the day - conflict and aggression, racial prejudice, social class, relationships, health, happiness - and emphasisies the practical applications of social psychology.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Argyle, the distinguished and prolific psychologist (Oxford University), writes a marvelous introduction to social psychology, with a bit of a twist. Arguing that mainstream social psychology has become too abstract and boring and has lost sight of the importance of studying the more mundane forms of social behavior, Argyle aims to restore "some of the missing contents of social psychology" by engaging in a social psychological investigation of phenomena encountered in everyday life. Starting with an analysis of conversation as a form of social interaction and ending with an exploration of what makes people happy and the effects that happiness has on physical and mental health, Argyle surveys an impressive range of scientific studies, not only on topics such as aggression, but also those usually passed by in most introductions. These include work, leisure, social class, and religion. Even in cases in which Argyle covers material common to other surveys of the field, he manages to approach with a fresh perspective, as when, in his exploration of the social psychological study of personal and social relationships, he discusses the importance of work relationships in determining the overall level of life satisfaction. Throughout, Argyle maintains a steadfast commitment to rigorous scientific research. His book compares favorably with R. Cialdini's Influence: Science and Practice (1985) and S. Duck's Human Relationship (1986). General through professional. R. R. Cornelius; Vassar College