Most contemporary volumes on social psychology emphasize applied research, while neglecting to address the important theories that shape the discipline. A deeper understanding of the theoretical framework that underlies social psychology allows researchers the opportunity to reflect on current work and become inspired for future areas of enquiry.

Theories in Social Psychology addresses this substantial deficiency in current literature by bringing together the work of a range of distinguished scholars who have written critically within the area of social psychology. Twelve social psychological theories relating to social cognition, social comparison, social reinforcement, and self are critically discussed in-depth: cognitive dissonance, reactance, attribution, social comparison, relative deprivation, equity, interdependency, social identity, social categorization, self perception, symbolic interactionism, and impression management. Theories in Social Psychology fills a long-awaited need by articulating the important psychological theories that shape our understanding of social behavior.

Derek Chadee is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Behavioural Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, where he is also Director of the ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre. He is co-editor of Current Themes in Social Psychology (2006) with Jason Young, and has been published in numerous journals including the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, the British Journal of Criminology, International Victimization, and Media and Culture.