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Why do some societies evolve and adapt while others remain stagnant? What creates divisiveness and exclusion, and what leads to community cohesion and social progress? This book discusses the psychology of social system change and resistance to change, offering readers a deep exploration of the psychological dynamics that shape societal transformations. Readers explore psychological perspectives on intergroup relations and group processes, alongside interdisciplinary perspectives from environmental science, history, political science, and sociology, to question and challenge conventional thinking. This readable, entertaining book contains clear definitions, lucid explanations, and key learnings in each chapter that highlight the take-home points and implications, so that readers can apply these insights to their real-world challenges. Whether you're a student, scholar, community member, or leader, this book provides important knowledge for all who are interested in understanding and influencing the dynamics of social change.
List of contents
Introduction and overview; Part I. Intergroup Relations and Group Processes: 1. Intergroup relations and processes: what they are and why they matter; 2. Creating and resisting change as disadvantaged groups; 3. How advantaged groups create, perpetuate and grow their advantage; 4. Ideologies of system justification and system change, and how advantaged group members become allies in change; 5. How norms change: processes of conformity, dissent and innovation; Part II. The New Psychology of Intergroup Relations: 6. Intergroup relations in the world ecological and environmental context; 7. Interconnected resilience and resistance: how systems resist change; 8. Societies as ecosystems: the psychology of factions and subgroups; 9. Temporal cycles and the psychology of time; 10. Beyond linear change: from shocks and disruption to inflection points and emergence; 11. Leaders, artists, innovators: the psychologies of history and imagination; 12. Conclusions, reflections and an agenda for the psychology of transformative change.
About the author
Winnifred R. Louis is Professor of Psychology at the University of Queensland. Her research examines how social change occurs and how identity and norms influence decision-making. She has published more than 150 papers studying this broad topic in contexts ranging from collective action and political violence to environmental choices and health.
