Description
A landmark study in social psychology, this book follows a small, tightly knit group convinced that a catastrophic event will soon bring about the end of the world. Through immersive participant observation, the authors document how the group responds when its prophecy is challenged, revealing the powerful ways belief, commitment, and social pressure shape human behavior. Their analysis introduces enduring insights into cognitive dissonance, persuasion, and the mechanisms people use to preserve deeply held convictions. Both a compelling account of an extraordinary episode and a foundational work of field research, the book remains remarkably relevant to the study of belief and group dynamics.
Available Editions
paperback
Simon and Schuster
Published Apr 1, 2013
332 pages
ISBN: 9781625589774
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Details
First Published
1956
Language
eng
Content Warnings
Content and trigger warnings for When Prophecy Fails by Leon Festinger, Henry W. Riecken, Stanley Schachter.