New Directions in Helping

Book excerpt: New Directions in Helping: Recipient Reactions to Aid, Volume 1, reviews the state of knowledge in the reactions of recipients in helping interactions. It provides an overview of the entire field, in-depth coverage in major areas, and a preview of important future research directions. The book is organized into five parts. Part I discusses the types of recipient reactions; some consistent relationships between the conditions associated recipient reactions; and approaches that have been used to conceptualize the effects of aid on those who receive it. Part II focuses on theoretical perspectives for conceptualizing reactions to help. Part III examines individual differences in responses to aid. Part IV takes up various determinants of reactions to help. Part V presents some final thoughts about research on reactions to help. This book will be of interest to social psychologists as well as to members of a number of other disciplines, e.g., clinical psychologists, social workers, counseling psychologists, educational psychologists, political scientists, and sociologists.