Political Psychology

This book provides an introduction to political psychology through a focus on European politics and topics. It describes a style of doing political psychology in Europe that has developed out of dialogue with as well as critique of North American approaches. By emphasising the theoretical and methodological diversity of political psychology, the book is intended to contribute to a greater understanding of the strength and utility of the field. * Opens up and extends the study of political psychology to a variety of socio-political contexts and manifestations of political behaviour * Clearly outlines the usefulness and promises of distinctive critical approaches in social and political psychology * Explicitly considers the role of language, communication, identity and social representations in the construction of political meanings. Political Psychology will appeal to upper-level students and scholars who seek to extend their knowledge of the complex relationship between psychology, politics and society. 'Cristian Tileaga's impressive new book offers an exciting new vision for political psychology. Moving beyond individualistic paradigms that dominate the work on public opinion, political values, and behaviour, Tileaga argues for a critical and interpretive political psychology that draws on the best that European social psychology has to offer including: discursive and rhetorical psychology, social representations theory, social identity and collective action, narrative and collective memory.' Martha Augoustinos, University of Adelaide 'Is it possible to have a political psychology founded upon the qualitative particulars of individual and collective life? This book articulates a provocative new approach in the field, rooted in European experiences and scholarship, motivated by an unwavering commitment to democratic participation, and grounded in the idea that human action is based on fragmentary, unfinished and relative understandings.' Kevin Durrheim, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaIntroduction: political psychology as an interpretative field; 1. Public opinion and the rhetorical complexity of attitudes; 2. Mass subjectivity, values and democracy promotion; 3. The political psychology of intolerance: authoritarianism, extremism and moral exclusion; 4. Social representations of political affairs and beliefs; 5. From social to political identity: understanding self, intergroup relations and collective action; 6. Collective memory and political narratives; 7. Discourse and politics; 8. Political rhetoric; 9. Mediated politics: political discourse and political communication; Epilogue.