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Social psychological research isn't negative, and its message fosters compassion, not cynicism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2004

Dennis T. Regan*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
Thomas Gilovich*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
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Abstract:

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Krueger & Funder (K&F) correctly identify work on conformity, obedience, bystander (non)intervention, and social cognition as among social psychology's most memorable contributions, but they incorrectly portray that work as stemming from a “negative research orientation.” Instead, the work they cite stimulates compassion for the human actor by revealing the enormous complexity involved in deciding what to think and do in difficult, uncertain situations.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004