Liking and Loving: Laboratory Style

Abstract

Originally published in Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books, 1974, Vol 19(7), 538-539. Reviews the book, Liking and Loving: An Invitation to Social Psychology by Zick Rubin (see record 1973-31269-000). The author's invitation to social psychology is extended to quite a crowd: students who want to find out what social psychology is all about, students of social psychology who already know, “students and professionals in other areas, most notably the sociology of marriage and the family,” and the “general reader.” Large and heterogeneous guest lists often bode a mediocre party where, in an effort to provide a little something for everyone, no one leaves very satisfied. On the whole, however, the author has managed to avoid this fate of the overly ambitious host. His success is largely due to a clear and entertaining style, as well as the liberal but appropriate use of anecdotal materials. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)