Saul Kassin is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and
Massachusetts Professor Emeritus at Williams College. Born and raised in New York City, he graduated
from Brooklyn College in 1974. After receiving his PhD from the University of Connecticut in 1978,
he spent time at the University of Kansas, Purdue University, the Federal Judicial Center, and Stanford
University. He is an author or editor of several books-including Psychology, Developmental Social
Psychology, The American Jury on Trial, Duped: Why Innocent People Confess - and Why We Believe Their
Confessions, and most recently, The Pillars of Social Psychology. Interested in the psychology of wrongful
convictions, Kassin pioneered the scientific study of false confessions for which he has received several
awards-including the APA Award for Distinguished Contribution to Research on Public Policy and
the APS James McKeen Cattell Lifetime Achievement Award for Applied Research. He has consulted
on many high-profile cases, served as an analyst on all major news networks, and appeared in several
podcasts and documentaries-including Ken Burns's 2012 film, The Central Park Five.

Part 1: Introduction
Chapter 1 What is Social Psychology
The Social Animal
What Is Social Psychology?
Social Psychology: Past, Present, and Future
Chapter 2 Doing Social Psychology Research
Why Should You Learn About Research Methods?
Developing Ideas: Beginning the Research Process
Refining Ideas: Defining and Measuring Social Psychological Variables
Testing Ideas: Research Designs
Culture, Ethics, and New Research Standards and Practices
Part 2: Social Cognition
Chapter 3 The Social Self
The Self-Concept
Self-Esteem
Self-Presentation
Reflections: The Multifaceted Self
Chapter 4 Perceiving Persons
Observation: The Elements of Social Perception
Attribution: From Elements to Dispositions
Integration: From Dispositions to Impressions
Confirmation Biases: From Impressions to Reality
Social Perception: The Bottom Line
Chapter 5 Prejudice
The Nature of Prejudice: Persistence and Change
Causes of Prejudice: Culture and Socialization
Causes of Prejudice: Cognitive and Motivational Factors
Reducing Prejudice: Social Psychological Solutions
Part 3: Social Influence
Chapter 6 Attitudes and Persuasion
The Study of Attitudes
Persuasion by Communication
Persuasion by Our Own Actions
Changing Attitudes
Chapter 7 Conformity
Social Influence as "Automatic"
Conformity
Compliance
Obedience
The Continuum of Social Influence
Chapter 8 Group Processes
Fundamentals of Groups
Individuals in Groups: The Presence of Others
Group Performance: Problems and Solutions
Conflict: Cooperation and Competition Within and Between Groups
Part 4: Social Relations
Chapter 9 Attraction and Close Relationships
Need to Belong: A Fundamental Human Motive
The Initial Attraction
Close Relationships
Chapter 10 Helping Others
Evolutionary and Motivational Factors: Why Do People Help?
Situational Influences: When Do People Help?
Personal Influences: Who Is Likely to Help?
Interpersonal Influences: Whom Do People Help?
Chapter 11 Aggression
What Is Aggression?
Culture, Gender, and Individual Differences
Origins of Aggression
Situational Influences on Aggression
Media Effects
Reducing Aggression and Violence
Part 5: Applying Social Psychology
Chapter 12 Justice and Law
Eyewitness Testimony
Confessions
Jury Decision-Making
Posttrial Sentencing and Prison
Perceptions of Justice
Chapter 13 The Workplace and Business
Personnel Selection
Performance Appraisals
Leadership
Motivation at Work
Economic Decision-Making
Chapter 14 Health and Well-Being
Stress and Health
What Causes Stress?
How Does Stress Affect the Body?
Processes of Appraisal
Ways of Coping With Stress
Treatment and Prevention
The Pursuit of Happiness