This fascinating book examines such diverse and compelling subjects as: money and power, gender differences, morality and tax, the very rich, the poor, lottery and pools winners, how possessions and wealth affect self-image and esteem, why some people become misers and others gamblers, spendthrifts and tycoons, and why some people gain more pleasure from giving away moeny than form retaining it.
Comprehensive and cross-cultural, The Psychology of Money integrates fascinating and scattered literature from many disciplines, and includes the most recent material to date. It will be of interest to psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists and to people interested in business and economics.

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Should psychology try to explain religion or try to understand it? Pioneers in psychology like Sigmund Freud and William James took opposing views on the matter, and it has been a hotly debated issue ever since. While psychology has been used in the past to attack religion, recent psychological findings have been more sympathetic to matters of faith. How should we understand their relationship today?
In "Psychology and Religion," Michael Argyle, one of the world's most famous experimental psychologists, provides a comprehensive and accessible survey of what psychologists know about religion--and what they don't. Offering fascinating and surprising insights into people and their religious worlds, Argyle examines the results of psychology's study of religion--including those of his own important experiments--and explores a wide range of topics such as: the importance of religion in the works of Freud, Jung and James; the proven effects of religion on the behavior of individuals and groups; how psychologists study religious activities like prayer, worship and ritual; and how psychologists have revealed the significance of change in religion, particularly in understanding the impact of new religious movements.

This is the first book-length work to reflect the recent trend in social psychology away from artificial laboratory test results. It focuses directly on the detailed, concrete elements of social behavior as they are observed in a real-life setting. Michael Argyle's approach here differs from that more generally taken in two respects. First, he discusses human interaction in terms of the basic elements of behavior-bodily and facial movements, gestures, eye-movements, facial expression, proximity, and orientation, the verbal and non-verbal aspects of communication. Second, he has drawn on research in such varied areas as psychiatry, anthropology, linguistics, ethology, developmental and organizational psychology, as well as on his own extensive experimental studies. Particular emphasis is given to the biological roots of interaction, and to its cultural setting. Social Interaction demonstrates a strong awareness of the current theories of social psychology, while restricting itself in exposition to the observable aspects of human interaction. The result is a comprehensive and stimulating introduction to social interaction. This is primarily a textbook for students of social psychology, but it covers a field that is of central importance for all students of the social and biological sciences.

Social Encounters is an approach to social psychology that is not what one might expect to find in textbooks on this subject. As a companion to Social Interaction advocated by Michael Argyle and his associates, it has been used by a rapidly growing number of researchers in social psychology, and related aspects of ethology, anthropology, and linguistics. The two key ideas are to study the detailed processes of social interaction at the level of the elements of interaction, and to relate social behavior to its biological basis and cultural setting. This work collects excellent representative studies of different aspects of social interaction; as such they are important in their own right. Within the general approach described, a range of different academic orientations are included. All selections report empirical findings, and most of them introduce conceptual notions as well. One achievement of the volume has been to establish the basic elements of which social interaction consists; current research is concerned with finding out precisely how these elements function. The contributors agree that the field consists of various signals: verbal and non-verbal, tactile, visible and audible, bodily contact, proximity, orientation, bodily posture, physical appearance, facial expression, movements of head and hands, direction of gaze, timing of speech, emotional tone of speech, speech errors, type of utterance and linguistic structure of utterance. These elements can be further analyzed and divided into categories or dimensions; each plays a distinctive role in social interaction. Social behavior is studied in natural settings or replicas of natural settings, for which there are cultural rules familiar to the subjects. This is a pioneering statement in sociobiology.

Originally published in 1975, this book is a completely rewritten, revised version of Michael Argyle s standard work, "Religious Behaviour," first published in 1958. A great deal of new research had appeared since that date, which threw new light on the nature and origins of religious behaviour, beliefs and experience."

In the 10 years or so prior to original publication in 1978 new theories and discoveries in the social sciences had given a scientific basis and new impetus to the development of social skills training as a form of therapy. This book explores the progress made with this idea and gives practical guidance for therapists based on several years' experience with the technique. The book provides an account of the latest ideas at the time, about the analysis of social behaviour - non-verbal communication, social skill, rules, analysis of situations, etc. The different techniques for training and modifying social behaviour - some old, some very new - are described and compared, with detailed accounts. There is a careful critical review of follow-up studies of social skills training and other forms of social therapy on in-patients, out-patients and volunteer subjects. The second part of the book consists of a manual for assessing deficits and difficulties, and for training in ten main areas of social deficiency such as observation, listening, speaking, asserting and planning. A rating scale, questionnaire and user's booklet of training exercises is included. The book should be of interest, not only to psychiatric professionals - psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists - but to many others, such as social and community workers, teachers, prison officers, and lay people who may be interested in forming self-help groups, either on their own or with professional guidance.

"Social Encounters" is an approach to social psychology that is not what one might expect to find in textbooks on this subject. As a companion to "Social Interaction" advocated by Michael Argyle and his associates, it has been used by a rapidly growing number of researchers in social psychology, and related aspects of ethology, anthropology, and linguistics. The two key ideas are to study the detailed processes of social interaction at the level of the elements of interaction, and to relate social behavior to its biological basis and cultural setting.

This work collects excellent representative studies of different aspects of social interaction; as such they are important in their own right. Within the general approach described, a range of different academic orientations are included. All selections report empirical findings, and most of them introduce conceptual notions as well. One achievement of the volume has been to establish the basic elements of which social interaction consists; current research is concerned with finding out precisely how these elements function.

The contributors agree that the field consists of various signals: verbal and non-verbal, tactile, visible and audible, bodily contact, proximity, orientation, bodily posture, physical appearance, facial expression, movements of head and hands, direction of gaze, timing of speech, emotional tone of speech, speech errors, type of utterance and linguistic structure of utterance. These elements can be further analyzed and divided into categories or dimensions; each plays a distinctive role in social interaction. Social behavior is studied in natural settings or replicas of natural settings, for which there are cultural rules familiar to the subjects. This is a pioneering statement in sociobiology.

"Michael Argyle" (1925-2002) held the position of reader in social psychology at Oxford University and was a fellow of Woolfson College. He was the author of numerous books and papers in British and American journals, he helped found and, was joint editor of the "British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology." He also played an important part in the establishment of the Social Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society and served as its secretary and chairman.

This is the first book-length work to reflect the recent trend in social psychology away from artificial laboratory test results. It focuses directly on the detailed, concrete elements of social behavior as they are observed in a real-life setting.

Michael Argyle's approach here differs from that more generally taken in two respects. First, he discusses human interaction in terms of the basic elements of behavior-bodily and facial movements, gestures, eye-movements, facial expression, proximity, and orientation, the verbal and non-verbal aspects of communication.

Second, he has drawn on research in such varied areas as psychiatry, anthropology, linguistics, ethology, developmental and organizational psychology, as well as on his own extensive experimental studies. Particular emphasis is given to the biological roots of interaction, and to its cultural setting.

"Social Interaction" demonstrates a strong awareness of the current theories of social psychology, while restricting itself in exposition to the observable aspects of human interaction. The result is a comprehensive and stimulating introduction to social interaction. This is primarily a textbook for students of social psychology, but it covers a field that is of central importance for all students of the social and biological sciences.

"Michael Argyle" (1925-2002) held the position of Reader in Social Psychology at Oxford University and was a Fellow of Woolfson College. He was the author of numerous books and papers in British and American journals, he helped found and, was joint editor of the "British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology." He also played an important part in the establishment of the Social Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society and served as its Secretary and Chairman.

Should psychology try to explain religion or try to understand it? Pioneers in psychology like Sigmund Freud and William James took opposing views on the matter and it has been hotly debated ever since. Interestingly though in the past psychology was used to attack religion recent findings in the area have been more sympathetic to religion. How should we understand their relationship today?
Michael Argyle's new book is an introduction to the psychology of religion from one of the world's most famous experimental psychologists. He ranges over the whole of psychology to look at the results of psychology's study of religion including those of his own important experiments. Full of fascinating and surprising insights into people and their religious worlds, his belief in both the empirical value of psychology and the spiritual value of religion are evident in this comprehensive and accessible survey of what psychologists know about religion - and what they don't.

Because society is increasingly secular, it may seem irrelevant to consider the psychology of religion. But the diversity of our multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society in fact makes religion more important to the social sciences than it has ever been before. What are the social consequences of religion? Every day the news is full of events that can be blamed on religion perpetrated by a range of groups from whole societies to individuals.
Beit-Hallami and Argyle are renowned for their clear, analytical approach to topics and this new, state-of-the-art study of psychology and religion is no exception. It will be welcomed as an update to their previous work in the area by social psychologists, sociologists and theologians worldwide.

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Non-verbal communication - the eye movements, facial expressions, tone of voice, postures and gestures that we all use more or less consciously and more or less effectively - can enhance or diminish every form of social interaction. Michael Argyle's second edition of Bodily Communication is an invaluable up-to-date guide for students of the subject. In the last ten years NVC has become recognized as an important part of social psychology and of professional training, particularly in social work, education and management.Greatly expanded from the first edition, and significantly revised, this second edition has two completely new chapters on social skills and personality, and a new chapter on research methods. The author, a pioneer in the study of non-verbal communication, presents the second edition in the same accessible style as the first, bringing to the reader both his intense interest in the subject and his authoritative knowledge of it.

Although widely taught to undergraduates, teachers, managers and adult students, practical work and demonstrations in social psychology were often found very difficult to carry out satisfactorily. Originally published in 1962, this book presented for the first time a series of experiments which would work in a classroom setting: some are modified versions of classical experiments, others were new. Several experiments are presented, together with discussion of their background and implications, in each of a number of central areas of social psychology. Each topic has been covered by a different author, who has carried out research in the area in question, and is experienced in demonstrating the main experimental facts in practical class work. The editors have written a challenging introduction, in which some of the basic issues involved in experimental work in social behaviour are raised.

The efficiency of an organization and the well-being of those working within it are often dependent to a large extent on the social skills deployed by certain key personnel. The analysis of these skills and the training of people in their use had reached a stage of considerable sophistication. Originally published in 1981, this volume, edited by the foremost authority in the field, presents a wealth of ideas and information on how best to employ social skills training in health and welfare agencies that are still relevant today. The introduction describes the processes of social interaction in which social skills consist, introduces the social-skill model and shows how social competence is assessed and how the most effective social skills are discovered. Subsequent chapters deal with the social skills required of nurses, doctors, psychotherapists, social workers and those charged with child-rearing. There is a chapter which gives an account of the social skill problems of mental patients and the extent to which social inadequacy is responsible for their other problems. The final chapter discusses the main techniques of social skills training, and reviews their success in the light of follow-up studies. The book will be of historical value to all those concerned with the training and performance of personnel within the health related professions and to those with an academic interest in the psychology of human relations.

Originally published in 1975, this book is a completely rewritten, revised version of Michael Argyle's standard work, Religious Behaviour, first published in 1958. A great deal of new research had appeared since that date, which threw new light on the nature and origins of religious behaviour, beliefs and experience. Trends in religious activity in Britain and the United States since 1900, and the state of religion in these two countries at the time, are examined. Evidence is presented on the origins of religious activity - including the effects of stress, drugs, meditation, evangelistic meetings, personality variables, and social class. Other studies examine the effects of religion, for example on mental and physical health, political attitudes, racial prejudice, sexual behaviour, morals, and the relation between religion and scientific and other achievements. The findings are used to test the main theories about religion which have been put forward by psychologists and other social scientists, such as Freud's father-projection theory, cognitive need theories, and deprivation-compensation theories.

First published in 1964, Psychology and Social Problems looks at a changing society and research into problems of the time. Many of the themes in the book, such as delinquency, mental health and racial conflict, are still familiar and current topics of discussion today. Social scientists had carried out extensive research into problems of urgent public concern, yet their findings were not widely known or understood and they had often been diffident in advocating policies based on their conclusions. Michael Argyle discussed the recent psychological and social research bearing on the origins of aggression, delinquency, mental disorder, racial and international prejudice, and industrial discontent; he went on to consider the implications of these studies for prevention and control and for the guidance of social change. This sophisticated and well-documented critique is presented with such lucidity and verve that it will appeal equally to laymen and to students and professional workers and can now be enjoyed in its historical context.

Is psychology good for our health? What is the effect of class on social behaviour? In this comprehensive and fully up-to-date accoung of the psychology of everyday life, Michael Argyle looks at the most interesting and practically important areas of social psychology. He takes social psychology out of the laboratory into real-life settings and helps us to understand the world in which we live. He covers many of the pressing concerns of the day - conflict and aggression, racial prejudice, social class, relationships, health, happiness - and emphasisies the practical applications of social psychology.

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Non-verbal communication - the eye movements, facial expressions, tone of voice, postures and gestures that we all use more or less consciously and more or less effectively - can enhance or diminish every form of social interaction. Michael Argyle's second edition of Bodily Communication is an invaluable up-to-date guide for students of the subject. In the last ten years NVC has become recognized as an important part of social psychology and of professional training, particularly in social work, education and management.
Greatly expanded from the first edition, and significantly revised, this second edition has two completely new chapters on social skills and personality, and a new chapter on research methods. The author, a pioneer in the study of non-verbal communication, presents the second edition in the same accessible style as the first, bringing to the reader both his intense interest in the subject and his authoritative knowledge of it.

Originally published in 1957, this book presented an up-to-date account of psychological research into human social behaviour of the time. There are chapters on interaction between pairs of people, behaviour in small social groups, and human relations in industry. The author avoided the adoption of any particular theoretical position, and concentrated on the established empirical findings of the time. The results of several hundred investigations are summarised and compared, so that the principal generalisations which emerge can be seen. Stress is placed on rigorous methods of research, and a critical account is given of current techniques of social research, showing the importance of experimental and statistical methods. Careful consideration is given to the danger of the investigator disturbing what is being investigated. Use is made of recent ideas about theory and explanation, and the different kinds of theory used in experimental psychology were considered for the first time as possible ways of accounting for group behaviour. This book was intended not only for students of psychology and of the other social sciences, but also for industrialists, administrators and indeed all who were interested in the laws underlying social behaviour. Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context.

What is happiness? Why are some people happier than others? This new edition of The Psychology of Happiness provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account of research into the nature of happiness. Major research developments have occurred since publication of the first edition in 1987 - here they are brought together for the first time, often with surprising conclusions.
Drawing on research from the disciplines of sociology, physiology and economics as well as psychology, Michael Argyle explores the nature of positive and negative emotions, and the psychological and cognitive processes involved in their generation. Accessible and wide-ranging coverage is provided on key issues such as: the measurement and study of happiness; the effect of friendship, marriage and other relationships on positive moods, happiness, mental and physical health; the effects of work, employment and leisure; and the effects of money, class and education. The importance of individual personality traits such as optimism, purpose in life, internal control and having the right kind of goals is also analysed. New to this edition is additional material on national differences, the role of humour, money and the effect of religion. These are just some of the controversial questions addressed by the author along the way.
Finally the book discusses the practical application of research in this area, such as how happiness can be enhanced, and the effects of happiness on health, altruism and sociability. This definitive and thought-provoking work will be compulsive reading for students, researchers and the interested general reader.

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Although widely taught to undergraduates, teachers, managers and adult students, practical work and demonstrations in social psychology were often found very difficult to carry out satisfactorily. Originally published in 1962, this book presented for the first time a series of experiments which would work in a classroom setting: some are modified versions of classical experiments, others were new. Several experiments are presented, together with discussion of their background and implications, in each of a number of central areas of social psychology. Each topic has been covered by a different author, who has carried out research in the area in question, and is experienced in demonstrating the main experimental facts in practical class work. The editors have written a challenging introduction, in which some of the basic issues involved in experimental work in social behaviour are raised.

This book not only documents the authors' own studies of real life social situations, but also provides an extensive review of other literature in this field. Michael Argyle and his colleagues are particularly concerned with the practical applications of situational analysis - to social skills training, mental health and deviance, intergroup behaviour, personnel selection and consumer research. In addition, by concentrating on situational variables, the volume makes an important contribution to the study of personality, since personality-situational interaction is at least as important in determining behaviour as are general personality traits. During recent years there has been extensive criticism of the conduct of research in social psychology. Social Situations points the way forward to a resolution of the crisis in the discipline. It marks an important advance in our understanding of social behaviour which will interest social and clinical psychologists and sociologists.

In the 10 years or so prior to original publication in 1978 new theories and discoveries in the social sciences had given a scientific basis and new impetus to the development of social skills training as a form of therapy. This book explores the progress made with this idea and gives practical guidance for therapists based on several years' experience with the technique. The book provides an account of the latest ideas at the time, about the analysis of social behaviour - non-verbal communication, social skill, rules, analysis of situations, etc. The different techniques for training and modifying social behaviour - some old, some very new - are described and compared, with detailed accounts. There is a careful critical review of follow-up studies of social skills training and other forms of social therapy on in-patients, out-patients and volunteer subjects. The second part of the book consists of a manual for assessing deficits and difficulties, and for training in ten main areas of social deficiency such as observation, listening, speaking, asserting and planning. A rating scale, questionnaire and user's booklet of training exercises is included. The book should be of interest, not only to psychiatric professionals - psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists - but to many others, such as social and community workers, teachers, prison officers, and lay people who may be interested in forming self-help groups, either on their own or with professional guidance.

The efficiency of an organization and the well-being of those working within it are often dependent to a large extent on the social skills deployed by certain key personnel. The analysis of these skills and the training of people in their use had reached a stage of considerable sophistication.

Originally published in 1981, this volume, edited by the foremost authority in the field, presents a wealth of ideas and information on how best to employ social skills training in health and welfare agencies that are still relevant today.

The introduction describes the processes of social interaction in which social skills consist, introduces the social-skill model and shows how social competence is assessed and how the most effective social skills are discovered. Subsequent chapters deal with the social skills required of nurses, doctors, psychotherapists, social workers and those charged with child-rearing. There is a chapter which gives an account of the social skill problems of mental patients and the extent to which social inadequacy is responsible for their other problems. The final chapter discusses the main techniques of social skills training, and reviews their success in the light of follow-up studies.

The book will be of historical value to all those concerned with the training and performance of personnel within the health related professions and to those with an academic interest in the psychology of human relations.

Is human nature cooperative?

Man is often said to be a social animal but what does that mean? Michael Argyle believed that one of the most important components our capacity to cooperate had been overlooked and indeed that the whole notion of cooperation had not been properly understood.

Originally published in 1991 the author was critical of earlier approaches, he put forward a new and extended understanding of what cooperation consists of, showing the form it took in different relationships and its origins in evolution and socialisation. He offered new solutions to intergroup and other social problems and took a new look at language and communication as a cooperative enterprise."