The Social Animal Ninth Edition

This book made me fall in love with social psychology all over again. Aronson chooses interesting studies for each topic and then relates them to hypothetical examples, books, movies, commercials, and historical events. There are also really interesting cartoons of people with egg-shaped heads. Even though this edition of the book released in 03 a lot of the information is still very relevant. Would recommend to anyone and everyone.

Great primer for those interested in Social Psychology. Aronson is a fab writer and uses tons of examples to illustrate complex theories and ideas. I use this book as a the main text book in a course I teach in this subject.

The Social Animal, 9th ed., is a newer addition than the one I used for a Social Psychology class at TAMU-CC years ago. The topics in the book and the information addressing the topics are priceless. It is a joy to review. Since that class in social psyc., I eventually earned an MA--Clinical Psychology...and then a JD.

I found the book full of well referenced observations, put together in a thought provoking and inspiring style. I was a little puzzled by the liberally used terms: 'God' and 'religion' which did not come with any reference. Which God the author was presenting is not made clear. Most of us live in a world surrounded by different cultures, many claim to follow the true God. For the most part the book relies on clear empirical data, but I found the introduction of unsupported terms like 'Divine transcendence' and 'the hand of god must be there' totally out of keeping with the rest of the book.For the most part the book laid out clear lines of thought, but I found that religion was left without the same examination, although it seemed to be presented as 'the' possible answer, without any material to support this assertion. It may well be, however, the book introduces this main concept, and moves over it, rather than through it.

I think the book explains that we have a person on the exterior that seeks to compromise with society and inside we have a belief or philosophy that is sometimes quite different.

Loved it!

That's a classic!

The aspect about this book that I enjoy the most is the language. The author has a refreshing style that blends textbook concepts, and provides compelling examples seen in everyday life and speaks to them in a way that is both critical and playful. He has a unique writing style. He will go on to define a concept, and not till he provides examples do I truly understand the meaning of the concept the author describes. I thoroughly enjoyed his humor and thinking seen in his frequent references or use of examples from politics, government, media, and everyday examples to illustrate his points.The concepts in the book, although I've previously learned them, got me to take another step back from the daily events in which I partake (e.g watching the news, decisions, judgments of situations or others, etc.). The examples that he provided opened up a new type of curiosity in the social behaviors of people (e.g. littering, smoking, cognitive dissonance, self-justification, persuasion, aggression, love, prejudice, emotions, etc.). His examples range from humorous to telling and writes about it in a scientific and respectful manner. I also found myself laughing at the funny cultural happenings that we all do, which range from individual (e.g. biases) to larger western cultural phenomena (e.g. advocacy for sexual abstinence as opposed to education when the literature points to the latter as more efficacious).Overall, the book is filled with gems with regard to the concepts and examples presented. It serves like a book one can read with a cocktail or a mimosa at a cafe. His transitions from concept-to-concept, and from chapter to chapter is seamless. A book that is informative for professionals or students in training in the field to the lay community, anyone can understand this book. It is an inspiring book that is motivates one to ask questions, understand the reasons behind our actions especially as it is influenced by our environment, and most important of all, laugh and relish in what we do as social animals. Thank you!