Political psychology is an interdisciplinary science, which is located at the intersection of sociology, psychology and political science.She received a greater development and dissemination of research in the United States and Canada, and to a lesser extent - in Europe.In Russia, the first works appeared only in the early nineties of the last century (E. Shestopal A. Yuryev, E. Gantman-Egorova et al.).
Political psychology is the study of several subjects:
- psychological component in the political behavior of man.They are the focus of most research.
- application of psychological knowledge to explain political phenomena.
But that's not all.Political psychology - is a young branch of science, so it is constantly updated with new research and theoretical developments.Each adds a scientist in interpreting the object of his vision.
Political psychology investigates a wide range of issues.
Firstly, foreign policy.We are talking about the psychology of war and peace, terrorism, political decision-making and inter-ethnic conflicts, mutual perception of the partners in the negotiation process.
Secondly, this science deals with domestic life.This is the motivation of the political participation of citizens in the institutions and movements, discrimination against minorities, the psychology of the formation of political identity and so on.
This young science has a particular, specific problems.It is about:
- macro policy processes at various levels (national, regional and global);
- transients (democratization of political institutions change, change of identity, the dynamics of public opinion);
- processes taking place in the mass group and the political consciousness and behavior (decision-making, the formation of political group settings, political conformity, leadership, conflict, cooperation, mass political attitudes, etc.);
- political behavior and socialization of every citizen;
- perception by voters and elected leaders, their language, thought, ideology and technology decision-making.
methods of political psychology oriented to what to get empirical evidence of different levels.But the main focus is on the study of individual consciousness and behavior.Widespread use of content analysis (presentations, documents, videos), interviews and focus groups.In addition, political psychology in its arsenal has projective techniques, tests, experts and so on.In the course of advisory work with clients used some psychotherapeutic and rehabilitative techniques.
Separately need to stay on the leading theoretical paradigm:
is a main political behaviorism.Its main task - to study the various and specific forms of political behavior.Not taken into account the thoughts and feelings about the individual's choices, as well as the situation in the world and the country.His supporters (R. hire, D. Easton, D. Dennis et al.) Were made significant contributions to the study of various forms of political participation, inter-state and inter-ethnic conflicts, socialization and so on.
addition, political psychology is based on the development or cognitivistHumanistic orientation (D. Adelson, L. Kohlberg, R. Inglehart, Renshon S. et al.).They focused primarily on what citizens think about politics as perceived by the leaders of the party and as the impact of the media on the human world.
Political psychology - is a young and rapidly developing science.
