The (Social) Psychological Legacy
for Political Psychology
DANIEL BAR-TAL
Tel-Aviv University
In providing concepts and theories for the analysis of the political realm, psychology is an inseparable part of political psychology. It is therefore important to examine this psychological foundation and to consider its legacy. This chapter, therefore, first examines the psychological basis of political psychology by defining its nature and describing its scope. Here it is shown that political psychology draws much of its psychological basis from cognitive social psychology. Subsequently, the second part outlines three social psychological derivations that are of importance for political psychology.
The political realm does not exist independently of human actors who think politically, activate political systems, and behave politically. People plan and carry out political acts, support or object to political issues, participate in political organizations and systems, vote, engage in violence, make peace, learn different political concepts and attitudes, and lead, or follow, leaders. Although not all of the field covered by political science is directly related to human behavior, any analysis of the political process and its systems must take into account the psychology of the people involved.
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Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information:
Book title: Political Psychology.
Contributors: Kristen Renwick Monroe - Editor.
Publisher: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Place of publication: Mahwah, NJ.
Publication year: 2002.
Page number: 173.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
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