The social psychology of tolerance

This topical book provides a comprehensive theoretical and empirical discussion of the social psychology of tolerance, exploring the importance and drawbacks of a focus on tolerance and discussing how tolerance can be stimulated in a range of contexts.

The indispensability of tolerance for a diverse, equal, and open society is increasingly recognized by social and behavioral scientists. When people are aware of salient differences and disagree about the value of various viewpoints and ways of life, the question of tolerance arises. Not only in relation to religious, cultural, ideological, and viewpoint differences but also concerning everyday things such as annoying habits of one’s partner, the views and behavior of one’s children, disagreements at work, and neighborhood hassles. Using concrete examples the book discusses the various reasons for why tolerance is vital for peaceful communities, especially in our increasingly diverse and polarized world.

Providing a thorough examination of the social psychology of tolerance, this is a valuable text not only to social psychologists but to a range of students and scholars in the social and behavioural sciences more broadly.