Journeys in Social Psychology: Looking Back to Inspire the Future

Psychology Press - February, 2008

This book consists of first person, narrative accounts of the career journeys of 13 of our most eminent social psychologists. Contributors include: Ed Diener, Robert Cialdini, Shelley Taylor, Alice Eagly, Bernard Weiner, Philip Zimbardo, Aroldo Rodrigues, Robert Rosenthal, Harry C. Triandis, Bertram Raven, Morton Deutsch, the late Harold Gerard, and the late Harold Kelley. Each of the authors describe their personal career journeys, the significant people and events that influenced their paths, the major turning points, the main decisions, the challenges, the opportunities and setbacks they experienced, and how the lessons they learned along the way may shine lights for future social psychologists. Given the experience of these contributors, we believe their combined stories pretty well chronicle the history of much of modern social psychology. We especially hope the book will serve as inspiration and counsel to students considering a career in social psychology. 

Editorial Reviews

"For those of us who love social psychology, this book is a gem. A baker's dozen of our discipline's pioneers give us a behind-the-scenes look at how their careers unfolded, sprinkled with helpful advice to those who would learn from the lessons of their lives."
--Professor David G. Myers, Hope College, author Social Psychology, 9th edition

"As a student and teacher of Experimental Social Psychology for more than four decades, I believe that the appreciation and understanding of science is aided immeasurably by knowing more about the interesting human beings involved.
This important book allows more than a dozen very influential psychologists to expand on the personal influences and choices they made which led to their important scientific contributions.
It not only makes for good reading for those already in the field, but it also provides a "hook" for students to become more interested in the area.."
--Dr. Robert Shomer

"This volume consists of personal narrative accounts of the career journeys of some of the world's most eminent social psychologists. Each contributing psychologist is an esteemed scholar, an excellent writer, and has a story to tell. Together, the contributions cover a time range from Morton Deutsch to today, and touch upon virtually every important movement and person in the history of academic social psychology. This book provides a fascinating insight into the development of outstanding academic careers and will be a source of inspiration to seasoned researchers and beginning students alike, in the fields of social psychology, history of psychology, and beyond."
--From the Publisher

Table of Contents

Robert Levine, Introduction.
Edward Diener, One Happy Autobiography.
Robert. Cialdini, Organizing for Surprises: A Career of Arranging to be Captured.
Shelley Taylor, From Social Psychology to Neuroscience and Back.
Alice Eagly, A Career on the Interdisciplinary Divide: Reflections on the Challenges of Bridging the Psychological and the Social.
Bernard. Weiner, Life Experiences and their Legacies.
Philip Zimbardo, The Journey from The Bronx to Stanford to Abu Ghraib.
Aroldo Rodrigues, The Full Cycle of an Interamerican Journey in Social Psychology.
Robert Rosenthal, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion: The Story of a Career.
Harry Triandis, An Autobiography: Why Did Culture Shape My Career?
Bertram. Raven, Toward Understanding Social Power: A Personal Odyssey.
Harold Gerard, A Social Psychologist Examines His Past and Looks to the Future.
Harold Kelley, Some Reflections on Fifty Years in Social Psychology.
Morton Deutsch, A Career that Spans the History of Modern Social Psychology.
Robert Levine, Lynnette Zelezny, Conclusions: Looking Back to Inspire the Future.

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