The Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology

by Leonie Huddy (Editor), David O. Sears (Editor), Jack S. Levy (Editor)

Political psychology applies what is known about human psychology to the study of politics. It examines how people reach political decisions on topics such as voting, party identification, and political attitudes as well as how leaders mediate political conflicts and make foreign policy decisions. The Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology gathers together a distinguished group of scholars from around the world to shed light on these vital questions. Focusing first on political psychology at the individual level (attitudes, values, decision-making, ideology, personality) and then moving to the collective (group identity, mass mobilization, political violence), this fully interdisciplinary volume covers models of the mass public and political elites and addresses both domestic issues and foreign policy.

Now with new material providing an up-to-date account of cutting-edge research within both psychology and political science, this is an essential reference for scholars and students interested in the intersection of the two fields.

Genres: Politics, Psychology, Nonfiction, Political Science, Philosophy, International Relations, Sociology

986 pages, Paperback

First published July 2, 2003

Reviews

[Mayim de Vries · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the reviewers said that reading this book is like drinking water from a fire hose. I couldn't agree more.

[Paige McLoughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting entries on psychological makeup on individuals. I am personally and interested in where temperament and personality make up political leanings and outlooks. I really go for that stuff. I like Avi Tuschmans work showing the left-right axis of politics being determined by two of the big five personality factors (openness, conscientiousness) that seem to originate in genetic factors like Xenophobia vs. Xenophilia that come from possible mating strategies with in groups and out groups. However, this book covers many of the aspects of political psychology, and the issues that voters deal with, and the positions they take towards them.