Includes bibliographical references and index

Introducing social psychology -- Methodology : how social psychologists do research -- Social cognition : how we think about the social world -- Social perception : how we come to understand other people -- Self-knowledge : how we come to understand ourselves -- The need to justify our actions: the costs and benefits of dissonance reduction -- Attitudes and attitude change : influencing thoughts and feelings -- Conformity : influencing behavior -- Group processes : influence in social groups -- Interpersonal attraction : from first impressions to close relationships -- Prosocial behavior : why do people help? -- Aggression : why do we hurt other people? Can we prevent it? -- Prejudice : causes and cures -- Making a difference with social psychology : attaining a sustainable future -- Social psychology and health -- Social psychology and the law.