This introduction to social psychology uses relevant and personal examples together with classic and current research to help the reader understand their own and others' social behaviour. The text also stresses why understanding social behaviour is important and places an emphasis on the self as a way to approach the understanding of social pychology. The text emphasizes individualism rather than collectivism and cross-cultural contexts in social psychology, stressing the importance of understanding the differences in social behaviour from one society to another. It presents social psychology in applied settings, encouraging the reader to see social psychology as a part of their everyday lives and showing them how knowledge gained from the field is used in real-life applications. Examples from current news, politics and culture are included.