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Social Psychology
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Social Psychology

Third Edition
December 2025 | 568 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Social Psychology, Third Edition invites students to discover the relevance of social psychology in their everyday lives. Authors Thomas Heinzen, Wind Goodfriend, and new co-author Gary Lewandowski capture students' interest by weaving stories drawn from personal experience with compelling examples from daily life, all carefully placed in historical and cultural context. Social psychology is presented as an evolving conversation, with chapters building on core questions central to psychological inquiry and a methods-in-context approach that fosters scientific literacy. This new edition has been thoroughly updated with new pop culture examples, expanded neuropsychology coverage, deeper critiques of the Zimbardo and Milgram studies, and nearly 200 new citations from the latest research. It also introduces two brand-new mini-chapters and a fresh authorial voice that enhances the book’s conversational tone and accessibility.

This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
 
Preface
 
About the Authors
 
Chapter 1: An Introduction to Social Psychology
What Is Social Psychology?

 
What Are Some Big Questions Within Social Psychology?

 
How Can Social Psychology Make My Life Better Now?

 
Chapter Summary

 
Critical Thinking, Analysis, and Application

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 2: Research Methods
How Do Social Psychologists Design Studies?

 
How Do Experiments Work in Social Psychology?

 
How Can I Recognize Trustworthy Research?

 
Chapter Summary

 
Critical Thinking, Analysis, and Application

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 3: The Social Self
How Do We Understand the “Self”?

 
How Do We Know the Self Is Social?

 
Are We Honest About Ourselves?

 
Chapter Summary

 
Critical Thinking, Analysis, and Application

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 4: Social Cognition
How Do We Think?

 
Why Are There Flaws in Our Mental Machinery?

 
Where Does Intuition Come From—and Can We Trust It?

 
Chapter Summary

 
Critical Thinking, Analysis, and Application

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 5: Person Perception
What Happens During and After Forming First Impressions?

 
How Do We Explain Other People’s Behavior?

 
Why Do We Misjudge One Another?

 
Chapter Summary

 
Critical Thinking, Analysis, and Application

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 6: Attitudes and Persuasion
What Are Attitudes and Where Do They Come From?

 
Do Attitudes Predict Behavior?

 
How Do Attitudes Change?

 
Chapter Summary

 
Critical Thinking, Analysis, and Application

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 7: Social Influence: Conformity, Social Roles, and Obedience
What Types of Social Influence Exist?

 
What Social Forces Compel Conformity?

 
How Do Social Roles and Obedience to Authority Influence Us?

 
Chapter Summary

 
Critical Thinking, Analysis, and Application

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 8: Group Processes
Why Are Groups So Important to Us?

 
How Do Groups Influence Individual Performance?

 
How Can Individuals Influence Groups?

 
Chapter Summary

 
Critical Thinking, Analysis, and Application

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 9: Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Why Do We Keep Using Stereotypes?

 
How Do Stereotypes Turn Into Prejudice?

 
How Can We Reduce Prejudice and Discrimination?

 
Chapter Summary

 
Critical Thinking, Analysis, and Application

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 10: Helping and Prosocial Behavior
What Motivates People to Help Others, in General?

 
Why Are Some People More Helpful Than Others?

 
What Circumstances Make Helping More or Less Likely?

 
Chapter Summary

 
Critical Thinking, Analysis, and Application

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 11: Aggression
What Is Aggression?

 
Why Are Humans Aggressive?

 
How Can We Manage or Reduce Aggression?

 
Chapter Summary

 
Critical Thinking, Analysis, and Application

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 12: Intimate Relationships
What Causes Attraction?

 
How Do We Decide to Commit to a Particular Relationship?

 
How Do Gender and Culture Influence Relationships?

 
Chapter Summary

 
Critical Thinking, Analysis, and Application

 
Key Terms

 
 
Applied Mini-Chapters
 
A: Social Psychology and Sports
What Is Sport Psychology?

 
What Is Fan Psychology?

 
Key Terms

 
 
B: Social Psychology of Law and the Courtroom
How Do Psychology and Law Fit Together?

 
What Do Social Psychologists Know About False Confessions and Eyewitness Testimony?

 
Key Terms

 
 
C: Social Psychology and Relationship Violence
What Does Relationship Violence Look Like?

 
How Can Survivors Heal and Move Forward?

 
Key Terms

 
 
D: Social Psychology and Cult Indoctrination
What Makes a Group Qualify as a “Cult”?

 
How Do Cults Recruit and Exploit People?

 
Key Terms

 
 
E: Social Psychology of Stress and Health
How Do Environmental Stressors Influence Health?

 
How Can Social Psychology Improve Medical Adherence?

 
Key Terms

 
 
F: Social Psychology: The Joy of a Sustainable Environment
What Are Threshold Effects?

 
How Can Social Psychologists Contribute to a Sustainable Environment?

 
Key Terms

 
 
G: Social Psychology and Happiness: Positive Psychology
What Is Positive Psychology?

 
How Is Positive Psychology Changing?

 
Key Terms

 
 
References
 
Glossary
 
Subject Index
Key features
NEW TO THIS EDITION:
  • The new edition is available in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
    •  NEW! An AI Literacy module prepares students to engage confidently with today’s AI tools through an interactive, outcomes-focused experience—with minimal instructor lift and no course redesign required. Available exclusively in Sage Vantage and written by professors who teach and publish about AI, the AI Information Literacy, Academic Integrity, and Responsible AI Use module integrates video, data driven examples, applied activities, Knowledge Checks, and built-in assessments that help instructors track student understanding. Focused on strengthening critical thinking, the module teaches students how to evaluate AI outputs for accuracy and bias while developing responsible prompting strategies that support academic success without compromising students’ intellectual growth.
  • New co-author Gary Lewandowski brings additional expertise and a fresh perspective to the Third Edition, enriching the text with expanded coverage of relationship science. In addition to his work as an award-winning teacher and researcher, Lewandowski is a prolific author of textbooks, the blog "The Psychology of Relationships," and the bestseller Stronger Than You Think: The 10 Blind Spots That Undermine Your Relationship...and How to See Past Them.
  • Two new mini-chapters, “Social Psychology and Cult Indoctrination” and “Social Psychology and Sports,” offer timely and relatable applications of core concepts.
  • Updated pop culture examples now include Euphoria, Bridgerton, and Wicked to better resonate with today’s students.
  • Expanded inclusive language (e.g., use of “they” for hypothetical individuals) and updated examples throughout.
  • Chapter 2 now includes a new section on open science, emphasizing transparency and reproducibility in research.
  • Deeper critiques of classic studies, like the Zimbardo and Milgram experiments, encourage critical thinking about foundational research.
  • Streamlined glossary and definitions, with new terms like “codeswitching” and “intersectionality” added for contemporary relevance.
  • Nearly 200 new citations, with 145 from 2020 or later, ensure the content reflects the most current research.
KEY FEATURES:
  • A storytelling approach rooted in real-world connections and pop culture helps students grasp application and theory.
  • Research methods integrated throughout, with a dedicated chapter and "Spotlight on Research Methods" features in every chapter.
  • Critical Thinking Challenges at the end of each section prompt discussion and reflection.
  • "What's My Score?" self-assessments allow students to personally engage with key constructs like conformity and belief in a just world.
  • "Social Psychology in Popular Culture" boxes connect course material to media students consume every day.
  • Learning Objectives paired with Core Questions provide a scientific framework for each chapter.
  • End-of-chapter resources include key terms, summaries, review questions, and application prompts.
  • Applied mini-chapters cover a wide range of topics, including behavioral economics, sustainability, law, health, and now cults and sports.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Preface, Chapters 1-2

Vantage Reference: 
Social Psychology - Vantage Learning Platform