The second edition of Gendered Situations, Gendered Selves has been
updated throughout, and is an ideal introduction to the discussion of
gender in social psychology. The book examines the basic underpinnings
of everyday interaction: from how we think, to who we see ourselves and
others to be, to how we interact with others. Each of these processes is
based on both social psychology and gender (as differentiated from sex),
as well as our racial backgrounds, ethnic heritages, socioeconomic
circumstances, sexualities, and national histories. The authors present
and critique each of the major theories of social psychology, social
exchange, social cognition, and symbolic interaction. In doing so, the
book introduces a full array of key concepts in social
psychology--perception, stereotyping, attribution, self-presentation,
impression management, defining social situations, exchanging resources,
and balancing power and dependence in social relations. The book also
discusses two fundamental aspects of human behavior--the dynamics of
helping and harming. The second edition incorporates discussions of
contemporary psychological and sociological research and features
powerful new examples, including 9/11 and the election of Barack Obama.