Michael Billig, a professor of social sciences, delves into contemporary social psychology, exploring themes of power, political extremism, and ideology. His work critically examines how attitudes emerge not as isolated positions, but within contexts ripe for potential argument, revitalizing classical rhetorical thinking for social analysis. He bridges social psychology and discourse, investigating the interplay between ideology and common sense, and influencing various social sciences with his insights on everyday thinking and argumentation.
This easy-to-read book contains studies of key psychologists from the past, throwing new light on Freud, William James, Kurt Lewin and others. Written for psychologists, social scientists and students, Michael Billig uses the past to argue for the continuing importance of examples and the comparative unimportance of theory.
Exploring the intersection of trivial conversations and significant themes surrounding royalty, this book offers a groundbreaking rhetorical analysis. It was the first serious examination of its kind, providing insights into the complexities of royal discourse. With a new preface, the work maintains its relevance in contemporary discussions about monarchy and societal values.
Exploring the dual nature of language, this book reinterprets Freud's theories to illustrate how language serves both as a means of expression and a tool for repression. It delves into the complexities of communication, revealing the psychological implications of language use and its impact on human behavior and relationships. Through this lens, the author invites readers to reconsider the role of language in shaping our thoughts and emotions.
Modern academia is increasingly competitive yet the writing style of social scientists is routinely poor and continues to deteriorate. Are social science postgraduates being taught to write poorly? What conditions adversely affect the way they write? And which linguistic features contribute towards this bad writing? Michael Billig's witty and entertaining book analyses these questions in a quest to pinpoint exactly what is going wrong with the way social scientists write. Using examples from diverse fields such as linguistics, sociology and experimental social psychology, Billig shows how technical terminology is regularly less precise than simpler language. He demonstrates that there are linguistic problems with the noun-based terminology that social scientists habitually use - 'reification' or 'nominalization' rather than the corresponding verbs 'reify' or 'nominalize'. According to Billig, social scientists not only use their terminology to exaggerate and to conceal, but also to promote themselves and their work.
Understanding the Impact of Locke, Shaftesbury and Reid
The book showcases exceptional scholarship presented in an elegant and humorous style, reflecting the author's passion for the subject. It is highly recommended for its insightful analysis and engaging writing, making it a valuable read for those interested in community and applied social psychology.
Exploring the intricate relationship between humour and social norms, the author presents a compelling social theory that positions laughter as a key element in societal interactions. Through the lens of various cultures, the book examines how ridicule serves as a tool for enforcing behavioral standards and maintaining conventions. Challenging the notion that humour is inherently positive, it invites readers to reconsider the implications of laughter in shaping social dynamics.
Michael Billig's rhetorical approach has been key to the discursive turn in the social sciences. In a new introduction, he offers further reflections on rhetoric and social psychology and allows some forgotten voices in the history of rhetoric to be heard.