270087 Political Psychology (S) (WiSe 2011/2012)

Political Psychology may be defined as the application of relevant psychological knowledge and methods to political and social issues. Based mainly in social psychological theories, it has also been enriched by contributions from other disciplines such as political science, sociology, anthropology, history and so on.
The seminar introduces some of the most relevant research lines in political psychology. After giving a general description of the field, four theories are going to be discussed – Theories on Authoritarianism, Social Identity Theory, Social Dominance Theory, and System Justification Theory – in terms of their basic assumptions and concepts, main empirical findings, and current research questions. In addition, some critical responses to these theories and some approaches trying to bring them together will be presented. Special emphasis will be given to the underlying concepts of ideology, prejudice and intergroup conflict, and the way they are operationalized for empirical testing.
The seminar will be conducted in English, using a mixture of lectures, student presentations, literature review and discussions. Each topic in the list below will be discussed in two or three sessions.
Topics:
• Introduction to political psychology.
• The Authoritarian Personality and other theories on authoritarianism.
• Identity, prejudice and the dynamics of intergroup relationships from the point of view of Social Identity Theory.
• Intergroup conflicts, social hierarchies and oppression: Social Dominance Theory.
• Underlying cognitive and motivational bases of ideology and system justification.
• The concept of ideology and ideological configurations.

Requirements for participation, required level

• Every activity of the seminar (lectures, students' presentation, discussions, readings and writing essays) will be in English.
• The topics included in the seminar were designed as a complement of those addressed in the seminar on Political Socialization and Intergroup Conflict (SS 2011); however, it is not necessary to have participated on it to join the seminar on Political Psychology.

Bibliography

Adorno, T. W., Frenkel-Brunswik, E., Levinson, D., & Sanford, N. (1950). The Authoritarian Personality. New York: Harper and Row.
Altemeyer, R. A. (1998). The other ‘‘authoritarian personality’’. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 30, 47-91.
Brewer, M. B. (1999). The psychology of prejudice: Ingroup love or outgroup hate. Journal of Social Issues, 55, 429-444.
Guimond, S., Dambrun, M., Michinov, N., & Duarte, S. (2003). Does social dominance generate prejudice? Integrating individual and contextual determinants of intergroup cognitions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 697-721.
Huddy, L. (2004). Contrasting Theoretical Approaches to Intergroup Relations. Political Psychology, 25(6), 947-967.
Jost, J.T., Kay, A.C., & Thorisdottir, H. (Eds.) (2009). Social and psychological bases of ideology and system justification. New York: Oxford University Press.
Jost, J.T., & Sidanius, J. (Eds.) (2004). Political psychology: Key readings. New York: Psychology Press.
Jost, J.T., Federico, C.M., & Napier, J.L.. (2009). Political Ideology: Its Structure, Functions, and Elective Affinities. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 307-337.
Sears, D. O., Huddy, L., & Jervis, R. (Eds.). (2003). Oxford handbook of political psychology. New York: Oxford University Press.
Pratto, F., Sidanius, J., & Levin, S. (2006). Social dominance theory and the dynamics of intergroup relations: Taking stock and looking forward. European Review of Social Psychology, 17, 271-320.
Sidanius, J., Pratto, F., Laar, V., C, & Levin, S. (2004). Social dominance theory: Its agenda and method. Political Psychology, 2, 845-880.
Sidanius, J., & Pratto, F. (1999). Social dominance: An intergroup theory of social hierarchy and oppression. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1986). The social identity theory of intergroup behavior. In S. Worchel, & W. G. Austin (Eds.), The psychology of intergroup relations (pp. 7–24). Chicago: Nelson-Hall.