The Social Animal

A landmark text that maintains its relevance and unique approach edition after edition, The Social Animal offers a brief, compelling introduction to modern social psychology. Through vivid narrative, lively presentations of important research, and intriguing examples, Elliot Aronson probes the patterns and motives of human behavior, covering such diverse topics as terrorism, conformity, obedience, politics, race relations, advertising, war, interpersonal attraction, and the power of religious cults. 

Elliot Aronson is one of the most eminent and versatile psychologists of our time. He is the only person in the 120-year history of the American Psychological Association to have won all three of its major awards: Distinguished Research (1999), Distinguished Teaching (1973), and Distinguished Writing (1975). In addition, among his many honors are the Gordon Allport Prize for his contributions to the betterment of intergroup relations and the Donald Campbell Award for distinguished research in social psychology. In 1981, he was named Professor of the Year by the American Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. Inducted in 1992, he is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2007, he was named a William James Fellow in commemoration of a lifetime of creative contributions to scientific psychology.