Political psychology

Political psychology is an interdisciplinary academic field dedicated to understanding politics, politicians and political behavior from a psychological perspective. The relationship between politics and psychology is considered bi-directional, with psychology being used as a lens for understanding politics and politics being used as a lens for understanding psychology. As an interdisciplinary field, political psychology borrows from a wide range of other disciplines, including: sociology, political science, psychology, and history.

History of Political Psychology

The field of political psychology originated from the works of Harold Lasswell. Lasswell's work in the field of political psychology focused on the study of propaganda and its impact on mass political behavior. His work laid the foundation for the systematic study of political psychology.

Key Concepts in Political Psychology

Political Behavior

Political behavior refers to the actions and attitudes of individuals and groups in a political context. The study of political behavior in political psychology includes the analysis of voting behavior, public opinion, political activism, and political violence.

Political Attitudes

Political attitudes are the feelings and beliefs held by individuals about politics, political issues, and political institutions. Political attitudes are often studied in relation to political behavior, as they are considered a key determinant of political behavior.

Political Identity

Political identity refers to the way individuals categorize themselves and others based on their political beliefs and affiliations. Political identity can be a source of social cohesion or social conflict, depending on the political context.

Approaches to Political Psychology

There are several different approaches to political psychology, including: the cognitive approach, the psychodynamic approach, the behavioral approach, and the evolutionary approach.

Cognitive Approach

The cognitive approach to political psychology focuses on the way individuals process political information, form political attitudes and make political decisions.

Psychodynamic Approach

The psychodynamic approach to political psychology focuses on the unconscious influences on political behavior, including: childhood experiences, emotional states, and personality traits.

Behavioral Approach

The behavioral approach to political psychology focuses on the observable actions of individuals in a political context.

Evolutionary Approach

The evolutionary approach to political psychology focuses on the biological and evolutionary influences on political behavior.

See Also

• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• History

References

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