Key Topics in Political Psychology

This highly accessible book provides an overview of the discipline of political psychology. It breaks down political psychology into five key areas that discuss the history, impact and future directions of the subject. This book covers the origins of the discipline, an overview of the most important theories in political psychology, a discussion of methodology, how political psychology is applied in practice in terms of policy, as well as a discussion of the emerging areas in political psychology research. It captures the state of the art in the discipline, introducing students to political psychology and how it can help address major societal challenges. Importantly, the book describes how political psychology can be applied in policymaking, enhancing readers’ opportunities to apply the empirical and analytical material in a range of global contexts. Providing a handy introduction to political psychology, this book will be essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students of political psychology, social psychology, and political behaviour. It will also be a useful reference point for students and a teaching resource for lecturers in the field of political communication.