This timely, accessible reference and text addresses some of the most fundamental questions about human behavior, such as what causes racism and prejudice and why good people do bad things. Leading authorities present state-of-the-science theoretical and empirical work. Essential themes include the complex interaction of individual, societal, and situational factors underpinning good or evil behavior; the role of moral emotions, unconscious bias, and the self-concept; issues of responsibility and motivation; and how technology and globalization have enabled newer forms of threat and harm. New to This Edition *Many new authors; extensively revised with the latest theory and research. *Section on group perspectives, with chapters on bystanders to emergencies, remembering historical victimization, organizational dynamics, and globalization and terrorism. *Chapters on free will, conscious versus unconscious processes, media violence, dehumanization, genocide, and sexual violence. *Chapters on false moral superiority, compassionate goals in relationships, and moral emotions in incarcerated offenders. Reviews: “In this timely book, preeminent social psychologists illuminate humanity's devilish and angelic actions, and suggest how we might transform today’s closed fists into tomorrow’s open arms. For social science students and for those working to create a more just and peaceful world, these pages offer compelling, state-of-the-art insights into the roots and fruits of our human capacity for good and evil.”--David G. Myers, PhD, Department of Psychology, Hope College "A splendid volume with an all-star cast of contributors. This book offers a balanced and provocative exploration of the worst--and best--of our inclinations and actions."--Lee D. Ross, PhD, Department of Psychology, Stanford University "The first edition of this text rapidly became a go-to reference for students and scholars. Addressing issues of pressing importance across the social sciences and society as a whole, the book proved to be enormously influential, and I thought it would be hard to improve on. The second edition has proved me wrong. Thoroughly revised and updated, the chapters now have an even broader reach and wider relevance. Even if you have the first edition on your shelves, you must buy, read, teach, and talk about this landmark contribution to the field."--Alexander Haslam, PhD, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Australia — "Miller has corralled a refreshing mix of social psychological voices to examine the nature of kindness and cruelty. A classical social psychological emphasis on situational influences forms a common thread that blends standard approaches, theories, and findings with less expected, but welcome, contributions….Graduate students and advanced undergraduates will find helpful literature reviews and discussions of conceptual approaches. Instructors will find several essays that are especially accessible to students. Those teaching interdisciplinary courses on the topic of good and/or evil will find a broad representation of social psychological perspectives. For seasoned scholars conducting research on good and evil, this book offers some new empirical evidence, but perhaps more valuable still are the unexpected insights generated by relating classic topics to the theme of good and evil. " (on the first edition) — Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, April 2008 "The editor and contributorsall prominent researchers and theoristsclearly enjoyed crafting these chapters, which mix theory and empirical findings with critical, often personal, reflections on their topics. Their passion for the work makes the book extremely engaging, even when the topics are disturbing or disquieting....Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through researchers and faculty." (on the first edition) — Choice Reviews, November 2004 "A fine book, rich in scholarship and argument, rarely tendentious and often stimulating, clear and perceptive. It is to be recommended to scholars and the interested reader alike." (on the first edition) — Metapsychology Online Reviews, February 2006 "Anyone who is interested in the social psychological literature on these topics could not find a better compilation." (on the first edition) — Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, April 2006 "Includes chapters from renowned researchers and will be widely read by followers of experimental social psychology....A useful resource." (on the first edition) — British Journal of Sociology, October 2006 About the Editor: Arthur G. Miller, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Dr. Miller’s research and publications have focused on stereotyping and stigma, biases in attribution and social judgment, and judgmental reactions to diverse explanations of evil and violence. He recently coedited a special issue of the Journal of Social Issues: "Milgram at 50: Exploring the Enduring Relevance of Psychology's Most Famous Studies." |