Applying Social Psychology - From Problems to Solutions

The Second Edition of this best selling textbook continues to offer a simple, systematic, step-by-step guide to doing applied psychology. Using the authors' own PATH model, the text presents a new methodology for applying primarily social psychological theory to a wide range of social problems.
With real-world case studies, end-of-chapter exercises and interviews with leading social psychologists, Applying Social Psychology guides students to define a problem, conduct a theory-based analysis, develop an explanatory model, set up and execute a research project to test the model, and develop an intervention.
Written in the same engaging and accessible way, this Second Edition offers:

• A new appendix with examples of PATH model applications
• An extended glossary
• Case studies from organizational, health, and environmental psychology
• Recent applied social psychology research
• More focus on applied evolutionary psychology
• Social network analysis and social media as research tools.

This is a highly practical text, which can be used by introductory and advanced level students who want to learn how to analyze practical problems and develop solutions based upon social psychological theory and research.

List of contents

About the Authors
Preface
How to Use this Text
Introduction and Background
1 APPLYING SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Example of the Application of Social Psychological Theories
Other Relevant Decisions
Applying Social Psychology: The PATH from Problem to Intervention
Problems with Applying Theories
Conclusion
2 THE PROBLEM PHASE: FROM A PROBLEM TO A PROBLEM DEFINITION
Introduction
Key Questions for Problem Definition
Research for a Problem Definition
Completing the Problem Definition
3 THE ANALYSIS PHASE: FINDING THEORY-BASED EXPLANATIONS FOR PROBLEMS
Introduction
Specifying the Outcome Variable
Requirements for the Outcome Variable
The Divergent Phase: Generating Explanations
Theoretical Approaches Under Investigation: The Case of Safe Sex Promotion
The Convergent Phase: Reducing the Number of Explanations
4 THE TEST PHASE: DEVELOPING AND TESTING THE PROCESS MODEL
Introduction
Formulating a Process Model
Heuristics for Developing a Process Model
Testing the Process Model
Doing Your Own Research
5 THE HELP PHASE: DEVELOPING THE INTERVENTION
Introduction
Preparing Intervention Development
Developing the Intervention
Building the Intervention Programme
Implementation of the Intervention
CONCLUSION: LOOKING BACKWARD AND FORWARD
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

About the author

Abraham (Bram) P. Buunk has been an Academy Professor in Evolutionary Social Psychology at the University of Groningen, on behalf of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, since 2005. His main current interest is the application of evolutionary theorizing to human social behaviour. He has published widely on applied topics, including professional burnout, jealousy, absenteeism, AIDS-prevention, loneliness, depression, marital satisfaction, well-being among the elderly, and coping with cancer. He is co-editor of Health, coping and well-being: Perspectives from social comparison theory (Erlbaum, 1997), and Solidarity and Prosocial Behaviour (Springer, 2006). He has served on scientific boards for the Dutch Cancer Foundation (NKB-KWF), and the Dutch AIDS Foundation. He was a member of the Programme Committee on Evolution and Behaviour of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). Currently Bram Buunk is conducting research in Latin America on various applied psychology themes.

Summary

This is a highly practical text, which can be used by introductory and advanced level students who want to learn how to analyze practical problems and develop solutions based upon social psychological theory and research.

Report

'This 2nd edition by Buunk and Van Vugt is a major contribution to understanding the role of Applied Social Psychology's relevance in dealing with societal problems. It is coherently written and inspiring to students clearly demonstrating the application of psychological theories and knowledge to a variety of everyday problems. For Practitioners the PATH model is a must have "tool" in their armoury, it reflects competency in the field, ensuring a structured approach to a theoretical and empirically-based intervention plan. Highly recommended.' Dr Carmen-Maria Fyfe

Product details

• Authors: Abraham P Buunk, Abraham P P Buunk, Abraham P Van Vugt Buunk, Abraham P. Buunk, Abraham P. Vugt Buunk, Bram Buunk, Mark van Vugt, Mark van Vugt
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 10.09.2013
• EAN: 9781446249079
• ISBN: 978-1-4462-4907-9
• No. of pages: 200
• Series: Sage Social Psychology Program; Sage Social Psychology Program
• Subject: Humanities, art, music > Psychology > Theoretical psychology