The Social Psychology of Good and Evil

“An outstanding collection of chapters examining the good and bad behavior that people exhibit toward one another—both human virtue and abject cruelty are represented well in this second edition….Researchers and teachers can use this book to enliven their empirical work or classroom discussions. Graduate students will find inspiration and direction. This book will be an excellent resource for organizing undergraduate or graduate seminars on good and evil. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals.”

—Choice Reviews


“Miller has corralled a refreshing mix of social psychological voices to examine the nature of kindness and cruelty. A classical social psychological emphasis on situational influences forms a common thread that blends standard approaches, theories, and findings with less expected, but welcome, contributions….Graduate students and advanced undergraduates will find helpful literature reviews and discussions of conceptual approaches. Instructors will find several essays that are especially accessible to students. Those teaching interdisciplinary courses on the topic of good and/or evil will find a broad representation of social psychological perspectives. For seasoned scholars conducting research on good and evil, this book offers some new empirical evidence, but perhaps more valuable still are the unexpected insights generated by relating classic topics to the theme of good and evil. ”

—Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology (on the first edition)


“A fine book, rich in scholarship and argument, rarely tendentious and often stimulating, clear and perceptive. It is to be recommended to scholars and the interested reader alike.”

—Metapsychology Online Reviews (on the first edition)


“Anyone who is interested in the social psychological literature on these topics could not find a better compilation.”

—Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease (on the first edition)


“Includes chapters from renowned researchers and will be widely read by followers of experimental social psychology....A useful resource.”

—British Journal of Sociology (on the first edition)


“In this timely book, preeminent social psychologists illuminate humanity's devilish and angelic actions, and suggest how we might transform today’s closed fists into tomorrow’s open arms. For social science students and for those working to create a more just and peaceful world, these pages offer compelling, state-of-the-art insights into the roots and fruits of our human capacity for good and evil.”

—David G. Myers, PhD, Department of Psychology, Hope College


“This edition, like its predecessor, sends a clear message: the social psychology of moral thought, action, and relationships is intellectually compelling, theoretically sophisticated, and empirically persuasive. The chapters are not just summaries of what is known about the good and the bad of human social behavior, but theoretical masterpieces by experts who write with impressive depth, clarity, and insight. The theme of the first edition—that social psychology holds the key to understanding why people act in ways that are sometimes commendable, but sometimes reprehensible—is reaffirmed in this edition, and amplified by the addition of groundbreaking chapters dealing with important issues, including terrorism, dehumanization, objectification, and victimization. I plan to use this book as a reference, as a source of inspiration for research, and as the text in my course on good and evil.”

—Donelson R. Forsyth, PhD, Jepson School of Leadership Studies, University of Richmond


“Psychology has sometimes shied away from the empirical study of concepts with clear moral implications—and no concepts are more fraught in this regard than good and evil. This remarkable volume attests to the fact that anxiety about examining good and evil in an empirical light is abating. Miller has assembled a stellar cast of contemporary scholars to provide an up-to-the minute account of academically and clinically relevant phenomena, from the self-concept to dehumanization to media violence. This exceptional volume belongs on the shelves of students, scholars, and practitioners in both the applied and the basic branches of psychological science.”

—Robert F. Krueger, PhD, Distinguished McKnight University Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota


“A splendid volume with an all-star cast of contributors. This book offers a balanced and provocative exploration of the worst—and best—of our inclinations and actions.”

—Lee D. Ross, PhD, Department of Psychology, Stanford University


“The first edition of this text rapidly became a go-to reference for students and scholars. Addressing issues of pressing importance across the social sciences and society as a whole, the book proved to be enormously influential, and I thought it would be hard to improve on. The second edition has proved me wrong. Thoroughly revised and updated, the chapters now have an even broader reach and wider relevance. Even if you have the first edition on your shelves, you must buy, read, teach, and talk about this landmark contribution to the field.”

—Alexander Haslam, PhD, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Australia


“What an outstanding volume! This book brings together what is known and understood regarding goodness, forgiveness, evil, callousness, cruelty, and kindness, authored by leading theorists and investigators from diverse professional perspectives. Clinicians and students will find this book truly fascinating reading. I can’t recommend it more highly.”

—Thomas A. Widiger, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky