The authors adopt a broad approach to trace the roots and legacies of social psychology with a keen eye to the future. Each chapter provides an in-depth look at a social psychological topic of significance, ranging from self and conflict to families and embodiment.

Four theoretical perspectives – cognitive social, discursive psychological, phenomenological and social psychoanalytic – enable students to critically analyse social psychological research.

These perspectives are interpreted through the interrogative themes of:

• Individual–society dualism
• Agency–structure dualism
• Situated knowledges
• Power relations

This stimulating and accessible text uses real-life experience to demonstrate why social psychology matters and how our understanding of these topics can be continually enhanced and constructively applied.