Political Psychology is an interdisciplinary and applied field that bridges Social Psychology and Political Science. It focuses on the study of the psychological processes that influence political behaviour at both individual and collective levels. The course offers a systematic introduction to the theories, methodological approaches and research applications of the field, highlighting its contribution to our understanding of political thought, judgment and action.
Phenomena such as: the formation and change of political attitudes, the psychological basis of party preferences, the role of emotions (fear, anger, enthusiasm) in political participation, politicized identities, inter-group conflict and collective action are analyzed. The course addresses, among others, questions such as: How are political beliefs formed and what role do social and individual circumstances play? What cognitive biases and processes determine political decision-making? How do social identities affect the formation of conflict or cooperation in the public sphere?