Social psychology is one of the most important branches of psychology, just like clinical psychology or educational psychology, and is responsible for investigating the way we relate to other people, emphasizing the influence of the social in human behavior.
In other words, it aims to understand social factors, the relationships between people, as well as society as a whole and political and social institutions.
In its attempt, this discipline deals with topics such as: prejudices, group cohesion, intergroup and interindividual conflict, values and beliefs and the attitudes or roles that individuals play as part of society or a group.
Over the years, various successful editorial works have been written that deal with this topic Below you can find 21 of the best books on social psychology. Enjoy them!
1. Collective behavior and social movements (Esteve Espelt, Federico Javaloy and Álvaro Rodríguez)
This reading is recommended for all those people who want to deepen their knowledge of group behavior and social movements from a psychosocial vision In its pages it is possible to find references to the functioning of the group and how an identity already predisposed with a set of norms, values, sensations, beliefs, reasons and models of action can guide our behavior.
This work explains the most important theories about social movements, and the authors provide a vision adapted to the 21st century, addressing topics such as the feminist or environmental movement.
2. Whistling Vivaldi (Claude M. Steele)
This text was recommended by Princeton University because it is a very interesting work. It is an entertaining read and very well explained, which examines stereotypes from an objective point of view, without making a moral analysis of the situation but rather a sociological and psychological one For example, how stereotypes affect our daily lives or how we respond to them.
Inside, the author tells that Brent Staples, a black student at the University of Chicago, noticed that when he crossed the streets of Hyde Park at night people looked at him with fear. So he decided to whistling a melody by Antonio Vivaldi, which allowed him to escape the racial stereotype, associated with crime, that many individuals have towards African Americans. Unfortunately, this text is only available in English.
3. Influence (Robert Cialdini)
“Influence” is an essential read if you are interested in the psychology of persuasion It is a safe bet for all those interested in social psychology, because the author has created a text that is not only easy to follow thanks to its excellent examples, but Cialdini has worked to write a book that is entertaining and accessible from the point of view. of its reading, so that it is easy for the reader to understand even the most technical concepts.
4. The Lucifer Effect: the reason for evil (Philip Zimbardo)
Philip Zimbardo is one of the authors of mandatory study in the subject of Social Psychology in all psychology schools around the globe for his research and the discoveries of the Stanford prison experiment. This work details everything that happened in that fictitious situation but that was out of the hands of the team of researchers, and provides many data of great scientific value.
In short, reviews the influence of roles on the behavior of individuals and explains how people, even those classified as good, can behave in a very cruel way in some specific situations.
Buy it here.
5. Social psychology of violence (María Concepción Fernández Villanueva)
The book that delves into the vision of violence as a product of a series of psychosocial factors that vary according to the characteristics and norms of the human groups or contexts in which they occur. In order to study and understand this phenomenon, it must be approached from a psychosocial perspective. After a theoretical explanation of violence and aggression, this work analyzes various types and contexts of violence, for example, violence at school or work.
In addition, among other topics, it reviews the group nature of this behavior, gender violence and its social and political factors and, in addition, analyzes the problem of violence in the media.
You can purchase it here.
6. Social animal (Elliot Aronson)
A well-known book on social psychology and one of the best sellers today Elliot Aronson, with a pleasant and easy-to-read text, invites the reader to explore the different scientific discoveries through his pages, with examples and all kinds of details of social experiments. A highly recommended book for both psychology students and professionals.
You can purchase it here.
7. Fundamentals of social psychology (Rosa Rodriguez Bailon and Miguel Moya Morales)
A great manual that aims to cover the basic knowledge of this branch of psychology Especially recommended for students, the book includes different CD-ROMs (one for each chapter) that help in the acquisition of learning this subject. Without a doubt, a great book to introduce yourself, but at the same time delve deeper, into this area of psychology.
8. Applying social psychology (Francisca Expósito Jiménez and Miguel Moya Morales)
This social psychology text presents a different approach than most manuals on this topic After presenting a historical overview and a description of the contents of social psychology, the applicability of psychosocial knowledge on basic topics is shown, such as: attribution, attitudes or group processes; and on topics of great interest to society, for example, gender violence, migratory processes, violence or political leadership or leisure and tourism. A very complete work with a very up-to-date bibliography.
You can buy it at this link.
9. 50 essential experiments to understand social psychology (Armando Rodríguez, José Francisco Morales, Naira Delgado and Verónica Betancor)
The objective of this reading is to present in an entertaining and enjoyable way 50 experiments that have allowed us to understand and explain social psychology There are many studies and research that have been carried out on social behavior, and the authors, for this editorial work, have selected those most notable experiments in this branch of psychology.
You can purchase it here.
10. Obedience to authority (Stanley Milgram)
Stanley Milgram is known for one of the most famous researches in social psychology This psychologist from Yale University, in 1961, carried out a series of experiments with the idea of knowing why we obey the orders of an authority. This text collects these surprising results.
If you want to know more about his famous research, you can read our article: “The Milgram Experiment: the danger of obedience to authority”
Buy it at this link.
11. Why we lie… especially to ourselves (Dan Ariely)
Dan Ariely gives us a must-read text for lovers of social psychology In it, he immerses us in the chiaroscuro of the mind to help us understand what makes us lie and how we protect ourselves from it. Ariely answers questions like: Do we lie more when we are forced to collaborate? Are believers more honest? What topics do we find it easiest to lie about? Does the fear of being discovered reduce our tendency to deceive? All this while she reviews topics in social psychology as interesting as cognitive dissonance.
Lying is one of the most characteristic aspects of human social behavior. While we are able to communicate in very accurate ways through the use of language, we can also give false information to deceive others. This book is a great way to understand how we usually use lying and what logic is behind this behavior.
You can buy it comfortably at this link.
12. Treatise on social psychology Vol. I: basic processes (JF Morales Domínguez and Carlos Moya Montes)
Another essential manual The book “Treatise on Social Psychology” has two volumes. This first one offers a detailed analysis of the emerging psychosocial processes of this discipline. For example, the processes that influence group interaction; stereotypes, causal analysis, intergroup conflict or attitudes and influence.
13. Treatise on social psychology Vol. II: social interaction (JM Fernández Dols, P. Carrera Levillaín, LV Oceja Fernández, J. Berenguer Santiago)
This text, which follows the previous one, offers those interested in social psychology a set of knowledge that allows them to expand their horizons in this field Focused on the specific processes of social interaction, it dedicates its pages to attractive topics, for example, the tension between mind and society.
You can buy it at this link.
14. The advantages of desire
A book that addresses the topic of irrationality in our behaviors and answers questions about the decisions we make. For example, Are we really owners of our decisions or can we be manipulated as consumers?
This work shows us the surprisingly positive effects that irrationality can have on our lives. In addition, the author draws, thanks to the conclusions of his entertaining and original experiments, incredible conclusions about how and why we behave the way we do.
It can be purchased at this link.
15. Love from social psychology (Carlos Yela García)
Love is one of the most important themes in our lives That is why it has aroused great interest among psychologists, and also among social psychologists.
Some experts on the subject have focused their research on biological aspects (for example, the chemistry of love), while others have contributed knowledge about the psychosocial and cultural factors that influence this phenomenon. This work tries to answer many of the questions that arise when addressing the subject of love and makes interesting contributions to the scientific literature in this field.
You can also buy it here.
Social psychology books beyond Spanish
There are many excellent titles that, unfortunately, have not yet been translated into Spanish. Here you can find a selection of these works regarding social psychology books.
16. Drive (Daniel H. Pink)
One of the most interesting social psychology books for those who want learn to motivate work teams In its pages you will find ways to understand job satisfaction and formulas to improve the fit between the members of a group.
You can learn more about him here.
17. Mistakes were made… but not by me (Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson)
If you don’t mind staying away from books in Spanish, you will love this very interesting work. Similarly to Dan Arielly, here The idea that we are rational beings is called into question and we orient ourselves towards the search for truth through logical thinking. In fact, we are incredibly prone to remain blind to our own mistakes and attribute them to others or elements of the environment.
Do you want to know more about this book? Click here.
18. Social Engineering (Christopher Hadnagy)
An excellent book to understand the manipulation methods used to guide people’s behavior towards certain objectives or goals… without them realizing it.
To read more about this work, click here.
19. Methods of Persuasion (Nick Kolenda)
Another excellent title to add to the list of social psychology books that focus on the phenomenon of persuasion It is based on principles of cognitive science to apply this knowledge in business or informal personal relationships.
In this link you will find more information.
20. The psychology of advertising (Bob M. Fennis and Wolfgang Stroebe)
A 10-second advertising piece broadcast on television is capable of making us want to buy a product about which we hardly know anything. That is the power of advertising , which thanks to its ability to appeal to our emotions, achieves incredible things. This book explains how that is possible.
You will find more information about this work here.
21. The Social Psychology of the Classroom (Elisha Babad)
A relatively unknown book that will undoubtedly interest all people interested in education. Its extensive documentation can be of great help, for example, to educators and pedagogues.
