Book on Psychology for Prosocial Purposes

November 18, 2022 9:21 PM

I lost a book. I’d like to find the title so I can read it again. I believe it was about using social science for activism / social movements / social good, like a prosocial version of “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.” I think it cited and explained studies. I read it within the last five years or so, and I think it was relatively new. I think it wasn’t very thick. Can you help me find the title?
posted by NotLost to Society & Culture (5 answers total)

You have the title correct - here it is!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 5:36 AM on November 19, 2022

Response by poster: Sorry, I should have been more clear. I was trying to say i think the book I am looking for is similar to, but different from, "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion".

My understanding is that "Influence" is intended as a business book, and that the book I am looking for is intended for activists and the like. But some of the content seems similar.
posted by NotLost at 6:37 AM on November 19, 2022

Transforming Ourselves, Transforming the World?
posted by zadcat at 7:44 AM on November 19, 2022

Perhaps Prosocial?

Probably not what you're looking for, but you might also check out "This View of Life" by David Sloan Wilson which extends Darwin to the social sciences from a prosocial perspective. I really loved it.
posted by soonertbone at 8:05 AM on November 19, 2022

Response by poster: Hmm. Nothing quite matches my memory. So, my memory might be wrong. And these other suggestions look like books worth reading anyway.

Thanks, all!
posted by NotLost at 9:57 PM on November 19, 2022