What Is Political Psychology?

In: International social science journal: ISSJ, Band 35, Heft 2, S. 221-236

Abstract

An overview of the field of political psychology, defined as the scientific study of the interaction of political & psychological processes: a bidirectional interaction. Some of the difficulties in achieving & sustaining a scientific approach in this area are described. The content of political psychology is described in terms of eight substantive areas of research in the field: (1) the individual as political actor; (2) political movements; (3) the politician or political leader; (4) political alignments & structures; (5) political intergroup relations; (6) political processes; (7) case studies; & (8) human development & the political economy. Summaries of several illustrative studies in political psychology are provided. 2 Figures, 65 References. AA.