Module Code - Title:

PS4087 - POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Year Last Offered:

2023/4

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

1

Tutorial

0

Other

1

Private

7

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

To extend students knowledge of psychology into the area of political psychology and to improve students understanding of the role that social and political structures can have on human behaviour

Syllabus:

The specific focus of this module is political psychology. Political psychology is an interdisciplinary area of psychology. The course provides an introduction to the psychological foundations of political life. Psychological theories are applied to particular political problems including the formation of belief systems, moral reasoning and ideology, colonialism, political socialization, political culture, mass hysteria, psychohistory. In doing so, it is demonstrated how psychology informs political behaviours and actions, the behaviour of politicians and the effects of social and political structures on behaviour.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

A full understanding of the breath and depth of the subdiscpline of political psychology knowledge of how psychological theory and research informs political behaviour at the individual and group level. understand how political and social structures can change patterns of behaviour and thinking

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

to improve students understanding of the value of psychology in explaining political behaviour

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

undertake analysis of a key social and political developments in contemporary Ireland

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

lectures, seminars and fieldwork

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

yes

Prime Texts:

Sears (2003) ocford handbook of political psychology , oxford

Other Relevant Texts:

monroe (2002) Political Psychology , lawrence erlbaum

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

Semester - Year to be First Offered:

Spring - 12/13

Module Leader:

anca.minescu@ul.ie