Political Psychology / Psicologia Política
(code: 21718)
Degree: Political Science and Administration (undergraduate).
Year: 3rd or 4th. Term: 2nd
Number of ECTS credits ECTS: 4
Hours of student dedication: 100 hours
Teaching Language: ENGLISH (80%) & SPANISH (20%).
All the lectures, readings, 4 homework assignments/papers, final exam, and communications in Aula Global will be in English. The group seminars will be in Spanish.
PROFESSORS: Dra. Verónica Benet Martínez (lectures) and Dr. Pere Notó i Brullas (discussion seminars).
1. Description of the course
Political psychology is a (relatively) young discipline that lies at the interface between political science and psychology. This course provides a bachelors level introduction to the field of political psychology.
In the lectures, Dr. Benet-Martinez will introduce psychological concepts and theories that are useful in understanding many patterns of political behaviors including ideology, voting (and other forms of political participation), social identity and inter-group relations, political persuasion, and dynamics of social dominance/obedience, among others. The lectures will also introduce classic and recent empirical studies in political psychology and highlight a variety of research methodologies used in the discipline such as laboratory and field experimentation, survey research, and content analysis.
Note that the primary emphasis will be in understanding individual political behavior. This means that we will not address other topics encompassed by political science and sociology that deal with political processes at the macro and meso levels (e.g., socio political and economic structures in societies, nations, and states). In so doing, the course will not ignore the importance of political contexts and institutions, but instead recognize both as forces that moderate how human psychology impacts on behavior.
The group-based seminars lead by Dr. Noto will involve individual and group exercises to illustrate (and experience) politically-relevant phenomenon such as power, authority, and leadership, and other types of group dynamic processes.
2. Competencies
This course requires and aims to strengthen the following skills:
a) Ability to understand, reflect upon, analyze, integrate, and synthesize complex ideas relevant to the lectures and readings.
b) High level of English reading comprehension: All lectures and readings in the course will be in English. However, students are allowed to use Spanish or Catalan in their homework assignments and in the exam, if they wish to do so.
c) Ability to understand the main ideas behind empirical (correlational and experimental) studies presented in class and in the readings.
d) Willingness to actively participate during the lectures and seminars (e.g., ask questions, generate points of discussion, facilitate interactions).
3. Content
LECTURES
1-2. Introduction to Political Psychology: What political psychology is, its history and social impetus, and links to social psychology; Psychological basis of ideology; Political socialization; Personality and political behavior.
3. Social cognition and political behavior: Attitudes and their cognitive/affective/behavioral components; Political identity and social identity; Intra and inter-group dynamics and biases.
4. Social influence and political behavior: Cognitive dissonance; Conformity; Obedience; Persuasion.
5. Cultural diversity, globalization, and immigration: Acculturation, multiculturalism, and inter-culturalism (individual, group, national levels); Dynamics and outcomes of complex ethno-cultural identities.
SEMINARS:
1. Introductions and presentation of the seminars.
2. Power relations.
3. Leadership and authority.
4. Exploration and reflection on students' role orientations
5. Self-expression, confidentiality, and privacy in group relations. Closing thoughts.
4. Evaluation
Continuous assessment:
· 4 homework writing assignments based on obligatory readings (25%)
· Class attendance and active participation (25%)
Final assessment: Final exam (50%)
Attendance to all lectures and seminars is mandatory. Obtaining at least a passing grade in the exam (i.e., score of 50%) is required to pass the course.
Only students who obtained at least a total of 25% in the continuous assessment criteria (i.e. attendance and home-works), and who have taken the final exam, will be allowed to be evaluated a 2nd time in April.
5. Bibliography
BASIC READINGS
Recommended textbook:
Jost, J., & Sidanius, J. (2004). Political psychology: Key readings. Philadelphia: Psychology Press.
Obligatory readings for homework assignments:
Thorisdottir, H., Jost, J. T., Liviatan, I., & Shrout, P. E. (2007). Psychological needs and values underlying left-right political orientation: Cross-national evidence from Eastern and Western Europe. Public Opinion Quarterly, 71, 175-203.
Medrano, J. D., & Gutiérrez, P. (2001). Nested identities: National and European identity in Spain. Ethnic and racial studies, 24, 753-778.
Reicher, S. D., Haslam, S. A., & Smith, J. R. (2012). Working toward the experimenter: Reconceptualizing obedience within the Milgram paradigm as identification-based followership. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 7, 315-324.
Simon, B., Reichert, F., & Grabow, O. (2013). When dual identity becomes a liability: Identity and political radicalism among migrants. Psychological Science.
Seminar-related supplementary readings
Coderch, J. & Notó, P. & Panyella, M. (2000) Pensamiento Postmoderno: teoria del caos, autoorganización, y Teoria Relacional del Psicoanálisis. INTERSUBJETIVO Nº1, Vol 2, pgs. 55-84. QUIPU, Madrid.
Ibáñez, T. (et al.) (2000). Dinàmica de grup. UOC. Barcelona. (Existeix versió en castellà)
Ibáñez, T. (et al.) (2001). Introducció a la Psicologia Social. UOC. Barcelona. (Existeix versió en castellà)
Notó, P. & Panyella, M. & Recasens, JM (2010-2011) FORMACIÓ PSICOSOCIAL EN DINÀMICA DE GRUPS. Anuari de Psicologia. Vol 13, 1-2. Societat Valenciana de Psicologia. València.
Notó, P.; Panyella, M.(1986). Introducció a la Psicologia Social. Barcelona. Edicions 62
6. Methodology
This course combines theory- and data-intensive lectures with hands-on seminars. During the lectures, Dr. Benet-Martinez will present and discuss the topics, theories, and studies that constitute the backbone of the course, but student participation will be VERY encouraged through questions and brief discussions. In the seminars led by Dr. Noto, the students will have open debates and activities related to the topics outlined above.