Myth of Individualism - 4th Edition by Peter L Callero (Paperback)

About the Book

Accessible and sharply focused, The Myth of Individualism is the perfect introduction to understanding the ways social forces influence, shape, and control our lives

Book Synopsis

Accessible and sharply focused, The Myth of Individualism is the perfect introduction to understanding the ways social forces influence, shape, and control our lives

Review Quotes

An excellent introduction for novice sociologists.

For several years now, The Myth of Individualism has oriented my students toward deep appreciation of how social relationships and complex social forces are fundamental to understanding behavior. This most recent and welcome edition offers clear-minded and updated examples -including around social media, the pandemic, and movements for racial justice - that will resonate with undergraduates' experiences and spark important discussions in, and hopefully outside, the classroom.

I find it particularly challenging to teach American students to think sociologically, because their belief in individualism makes it hard for them to see that macro social structures are not just their own personal micro experiences, writ large. The Myth of Individualism helps make their taken-for-granted commitment into a problem to consider. My Introductory classes begin with this book, so that the concept that individualism is a myth becomes one of the framing ideas of the course.

In The Myth of Individualism, Callero effectively introduces the reader to the sociological imagination. Through the exploration of historical contexts and contemporary social issues, the reader is left with tools to explore the social forces at work in their own lives.

The Myth of Individualism is a wonderful text to introduce and remind students how "social forces shape our individual lives and choices." In this day of scientific ignorance and distrust, Callero reminds us why we need social science and elucidates the ways in which science is a social process. The writing style is conversational and accessible, with a narrative approach and each chapter providing an illustrative story to engage students. Not only do students like the text, instructors will also appreciate how engaging it is and will enjoy reading it along with their students.

About the Author

Peter L. Callero is professor emeritus of sociology at Western Oregon University. He is the author of Being Unequal: How Identity Helps Make and Break Power and Privilege and Giving Blood: The Development of an Altruistic Identity (with Jane Piliavin) and coeditor of The Self-Society Dynamic: Cognition, Emotion, and Action. He has published extensively on issues of self, identity, and politics.