Amazon.com description: Product Description: This work explores contemporary developments within social psychology. some of the key thinkers within this field are introduced and discussed. The aim of the book is not only to function as an introduction to social psychology, however it also aims at developing new ways of approaching and using social psychological thinking. It raises the question: how adequate and up-to-date is existing social psychological theorizing? The first part of the book contains a general overview of different theoreticians and theoretical perspectives: a particular line of thought stretching from The Chicago School - via among others Simmel, Mead and Goffman - to contemporary discussions on modernity/post-modernity is followed. The thematic part of the book offers a more in depth view of key aspects of late modern life, such as, for example narcissism, changes in gender identities and the cultivation of the perfect body. The reflexive approach to social psychology developed in this book will enrich and expand our way of looking at contemporary culture and identities. This textbook should be of interest to general readers interested in question of identity, culture and contemporary society.