Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems is an excellent introductory textbook that helps students understand how people think about, feel about, relate to, and influence one another. The book is unique in that it provides a balanced emphasis on social psychological theory and research. Editors Frank W. Schneider, Jamie A. Gruman, and Larry M. Coutts examine the contributions of social and practical problems in several areas including everyday life, clinical psychology, sports, the media, health, education, organizations, community psychology, the environment, and human diversity.
"In my opinion, this book will be THE text in that field to use. I say this as a current teacher of such a course and one who is constantly looking for a good book to use. . . .I think this book is great. It is comprehensive and very well written."
(John Berman 20040923)
"I especially like the intention to produce an applied text that is highly accessible to an undergraduate audience and that stresses the application of social psychological theory as well as methods. . . . I like the way the editors maintain a consistent format across chapters-and the diversity of topics involved should benefit from having specialists in each area write the individual chapters. Another big plus for this particular volume is that the contributors are primarily from a single major program in applied social psychology. This gives the book an immediate aura of authenticity and unity."
(Herbert L. Leff 20040923)
"The text has a range of research from classic through current. This use of classic research appears consistently throughout the text. I am also pleased with diversity as one of the chapter topics."
(Barbara K. Sholley 20040923)
"...My view concerning the major accomplishment of this volume: It takes the distinction between 'basic' and 'applied' social psychology and shows that it is more illusory than real, that 'basic' social psychological theory can be applied to a host of significant social and practical problems with the potential to bring about real and important changes. As such, I think that Applied Social Psychology will make a substantial contribution as an undergraduate text - useful both as an introductory text in courses on applied social psychology and, where time will permit, as a secondary text to complement the main text in introductory or junior graduate-level survey courses on social psychology." (CANADIAN PSYCHOLOGY/ PSYCHOLOGIE CANADIENNE, 2005, 46:4, 251-261 20051101)