Learn More about the Book
Reflecting the many contributions of Muzafer Sherif to social psychology during the past thirty years, this volume presents selections from among Sherif's most widely known essays and provides a systematic overview of his evolving interests, concepts, methods and research findings. Twenty-five essays are divided into five sections according to content; the theoretical and methodological problems at the heart of Sherif's work; the experimental model for interaction process and products; problems of self and reference groups; concepts, attitudes and ego-involvements; and contributions to problems of in-group and intergroup relations through experimental and field research. Though the selections range over a broad spectrum each is characterized by the precise and incisive work techniques Sherif devised as well as by its intrinsic relevance to significant issues. Sherif writes to clarify theory, to define conceptual tools, and to use tools and theory to demonstrate the substantive results of his researches. Each research finding is added to its predecessors as the author advances to his goal of a social psychology that is consistent as it moves from the most basic psychological processes to the complexities of individual involvement in collective activity
About the Author
Muzafer Sherif (1906-1988) was professor and director of the psychosocial studies program at Pennsylvania State University. He is known as one of the founders of the field of social psychology and also helped develop social judgment theory and realistic conflict theory.
Review Quotes
1.
"Sherif's contributions to social psychology are of unquestioned importance."
--Shalom Schwartz, American Sociological Review
"Muzafer Sherif is one of the best known social psychologists and is famous for two often quoted sutides: (i) the autokinetic effect study which used an optical illusion to study the formation of group norms. This showed that individuals are deeply and lastingly influenced by group situations; and (ii) The Robbers Care experiment where the Sherifs (Muzafer and his wife) rigged two competing groups of American boys at a summer camp. This showed that groups became more cohesive as a result of recognition of their own identity and that their awareness of each other in win-or-lose competitions affected perceptions, communications, intragroup structure, types of leadership and self-examination... This present book is a drawing together of his rationale of behavioural science; here the early chapters contain a very valuable analysis, especially of social behaviour and social interaction; and his previous efforts in group norms, attitude studies, inter-group relations, etc. which have been published before... [T]his is a useful compendium of the views and findings of a significant writer."
--Estela d'Accurzio, The British Journal of Sociology
"Sherif has been one of the most influential and productive social psychologists of mid-century... If you want to see much of the depth and breadth of thought of one of the greater contributors to social psychology--One who has contributed to theory, who is methodologically innovative, and whose conclusions are relevant to real social problems--then you will find this book rewarding."
--A. O. Haller, The Journal of Human Resources
2.
"Sherif's contributions to social psychology are of unquestioned importance."
--Shalom Schwartz, American Sociological Review
"Muzafer Sherif is one of the best known social psychologists and is famous for two often quoted sutides: (i) the autokinetic effect study which used an optical illusion to study the formation of group norms. This showed that individuals are deeply and lastingly influenced by group situations; and (ii) The Robbers Care experiment where the Sherifs (Muzafer and his wife) rigged two competing groups of American boys at a summer camp. This showed that groups became more cohesive as a result of recognition of their own identity and that their awareness of each other in win-or-lose competitions affected perceptions, communications, intragroup structure, types of leadership and self-examination... This present book is a drawing together of his rationale of behavioural science; here the early chapters contain a very valuable analysis, especially of social behaviour and social interaction; and his previous efforts in group norms, attitude studies, inter-group relations, etc. which have been published before... [T]his is a useful compendium of the views and findings of a significant writer."
--Estela d'Accurzio, The British Journal of Sociology
"Sherif has been one of the most influential and productive social psychologists of mid-century... If you want to see much of the depth and breadth of thought of one of the greater contributors to social psychology--One who has contributed to theory, who is methodologically innovative, and whose conclusions are relevant to real social problems--then you will find this book rewarding."
--A. O. Haller, The Journal of Human Resources
