{"product_id":"self-and-social-change-clear-guide-to-identity-and-society","title":"Self and Social Change - Clear Guide to Identity and Society","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Self and Social Change, the bottom line is simple: this is a compact, accessible guide for readers who want a clear account of how society shapes the self. Matthew Adams offers a book that is both a textbook-friendly introduction and a critical synthesis, making it valuable for students and lecturers. The most persuasive reason to buy is its sustained focus on how economic structures, neo-liberal discourse, emotion and ambiguity interact to form modern identity, providing a coherent framework for anyone studying cultural or social theory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClear theoretical overview:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book lays out the fundamental positions in social theories of the self so readers can compare and contrast competing accounts without prior specialist knowledge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContextual focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e It connects identity to broader forces such as global economic and employment structures, helping readers see how macro factors shape individual experience.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritical engagement:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text offers an informed and critical guide rather than mere summary, prompting readers to question assumptions in established social theory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAttention to emotion and ambiguity:\u003c\/strong\u003e By examining the role of emotion, irrationality, and ambiguity, the book widens the discussion beyond purely rational or structural explanations of selfhood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccessible tone:\u003c\/strong\u003e The writing is described as assured and readable, making complex ideas available to undergraduates and non-specialist readers alike.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelf and Social Change is aimed primarily at students and lecturers in Cultural Studies, Sociology, Social Psychology, and Communications who need a concise, critical introduction to debates about identity. It suits readers who prefer an analytical guide that links theory to contemporary economic and political contexts, particularly those studying how neo-liberal discourse and employment patterns influence selfhood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a highly technical monograph with dense methodological detail or an empirical handbook of original fieldwork should look elsewhere; this is best used as a conceptual guide and classroom resource rather than a specialist empirical study.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a coherent map of major positions in social theories of the self, useful for learning and teaching.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEffectively links individual identity to macro forces like economic structures and neo-liberal discourse.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBroadens the debate by addressing emotion, irrationality, and ambiguity as factors in selfhood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot a replacement for empirical studies; readers looking for original data or fieldwork findings may find it more conceptual than empirical.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf and Social Change\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMatthew Adams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject areas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIdentity, Cultural Studies, Sociology, Social Psychology, Communications\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus topics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEconomic structures, employment, neo-liberal discourse, emotion, irrationality, ambiguity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStyle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAccessible, assured, critical guide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents and lecturers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelf and Social Change is a concise, well-structured guide for anyone studying the relationship between individual identity and social forces. Its value lies in linking theoretical positions to contemporary economic and cultural contexts, making it a worthwhile purchase for classroom use and anyone seeking a critical, readable introduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book suitable for undergraduate courses?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Its accessible tone and clear overview of major positions make it suitable as a course text or recommended reading for undergraduates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book include empirical research?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The book functions primarily as a conceptual and critical guide rather than an empirical fieldwork volume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich disciplines will find this most useful?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStudents and lecturers in Cultural Studies, Sociology, Social Psychology, and Communications will find it most relevant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Matthew Adams","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48608717701339,"sku":"141290711X","price":73.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/5121wGRJyTL._SL1000.jpg?v=1778530606","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/self-and-social-change-clear-guide-to-identity-and-society","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}