`When considering a volume that has essentially the form of a textbook, particular criteria apply. It is important that it is accurate, up-to-date and covers an appropriate range of material in an accessible and stimulating manner. It is important that it is a flexible vehicle for use with diverse courses, and does not overly impose a particular or narrow intellectual structure. In all these respects, this text is to be recommended.... Finally, it is important that all students of social psychology should try to see the historical and cultural linkages that extend across and through its subject area, and this is the other message that comes across from this exceptionally well thought-through book' - Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology

This accessible and authoritative textbook presents an engaging overview of social psychological research on groups, the development of social identity, intergroup relations and the process of making sense of social life.

Unlike other textbooks in this area, this book has a broad focus. It covers a representative mix of European and North American research, but also draws on psychoanalysis, social theory, discourse analysis and feminist writing to develop accounts of topics such as racism, social influence, group dynamics, the workplace and masculine identities. Classic studies are set alongside the most recent research in social psychology. The result is a book which is rich in ideas, interdisciplinary in nature, combative and critical.

This book has been developed as a Course Text for The Open University course Social Psychology: Personal Lives, Social Worlds (D317).