Global Perspectives in Political Psychology – Serie

The Political Psychology of Social Unrest in Latin America is a unique collection of research and writings by Latin American scholars. It explores the social, psychological, and political factors of the recent turmoil in Latin American countries.From the impeachment demonstrations in Brazil, student movements in Chile, and massive demonstrations in Costa Rica, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Mexico, this edited volume analyses the underlying similarities and differences between these events through the lens of diverse research traditions, methods, and researchers. The book examines both actual inequalities and disadvantages as well as the role of perceptions of inequality and injustice. The authors also investigate the role of micro-processes, such as cultural consumption in the family, and the role of social psychological processes in historical Latin American unrest. By utilising leading approaches in social and political psychology and testing these approaches in the context of a very diverse and dynamic non-WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) societies, the authors bring the communities and civilizations less studied by Western social psychologists to the international audience.Focusing on how social and political processes unfold in different countries and providing insights into the psychological underpinnings of social unrest from a variety of perspectives, this is an essential reading for students and researchers of psychology, social, political, peace and cross-cultural psychology as well as political science and sociology.

The Political Psychology of Social Unrest in Latin America is a unique collection of research and writings by Latin American scholars. It explores the social, psychological, and political factors of the recent turmoil in Latin American countries.From the impeachment demonstrations in Brazil, student movements in Chile, and massive demonstrations in Costa Rica, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Mexico, this edited volume analyses the underlying similarities and differences between these events through the lens of diverse research traditions, methods, and researchers. The book examines both actual inequalities and disadvantages as well as the role of perceptions of inequality and injustice. The authors also investigate the role of micro-processes, such as cultural consumption in the family, and the role of social psychological processes in historical Latin American unrest. By utilising leading approaches in social and political psychology and testing these approaches in the context of a very diverse and dynamic non-WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) societies, the authors bring the communities and civilizations less studied by Western social psychologists to the international audience.Focusing on how social and political processes unfold in different countries and providing insights into the psychological underpinnings of social unrest from a variety of perspectives, this is an essential reading for students and researchers of psychology, social, political, peace and cross-cultural psychology as well as political science and sociology.

This volume presents the latest developments in the field of political psychology by exploring the psychological processes that underlie political instability and how these can be addressed with psychological interventions. Written by a team of international leading researchers, the book critically re-evaluates the relevance of concepts primarily developed in WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic) contexts, for non-WEIRD societies. It focuses particularly on East-Central Europe and South Africa, showing how they enjoy some privileges of WEIRD countries but are also characterized by a troubled history and relative deprivation. Covering psychological concepts such as political trust, conspiracy thinking, authoritarianism, populism, autochthony, social identity and prejudice, the chapters illustrate that psychology has the tools to explain the recurring and shared problems of these societies.This original book is ideal for scholars and students in social psychology, political science and social science. It will also be useful reading for policy makers, political analysts and anyone who wishes to understand their role in creating more stable and more just societies.

This volume presents the latest developments in the field of political psychology by exploring the psychological processes that underlie political instability and how these can be addressed with psychological interventions. Written by a team of international leading researchers, the book critically re-evaluates the relevance of concepts primarily developed in WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic) contexts, for non-WEIRD societies. It focuses particularly on East-Central Europe and South Africa, showing how they enjoy some privileges of WEIRD countries but are also characterized by a troubled history and relative deprivation. Covering psychological concepts such as political trust, conspiracy thinking, authoritarianism, populism, autochthony, social identity and prejudice, the chapters illustrate that psychology has the tools to explain the recurring and shared problems of these societies.This original book is ideal for scholars and students in social psychology, political science and social science. It will also be useful reading for policy makers, political analysts and anyone who wishes to understand their role in creating more stable and more just societies.

This book introduces a comprehensive and integrative collection of psychological intergroup interventions. These evidence-based interventions are scientifically established and tested in several real-world contexts of intergroup animosities and tensions, from prejudice and inequality reduction to peace promotion. Intergroup hostility, violence, and discrimination have become more and more prevalent in recent decades. To address this challenge, recently, social scientists have shown an increasing shift from a descriptive to a more interventionist science, developing evidence-based interventions to improve intergroup relations. For the first time, this book includes research on intergroup interventions and their applications to the field, from a global collection of leading voices in the discipline. It also includes a conceptualization of intergroup interventions, a typology of different types of interventions, as well as a guideline for effective development of intergroup interventions. Each chapter focuses on one psychological intergroup intervention, further reviewing a sample of relevant platforms such as education, entertainment, and VR, upon which psychological intergroup interventions can be implemented.With each chapter featuring both intervention research and practical advice for practitioners, this is the ideal companion for researchers and professionals in social psychology, sociology, politics, peace studies and conflict resolution. It will also be of interest to practitioners looking for practical advice to create an impact in the real-world.

This book introduces a comprehensive and integrative collection of psychological intergroup interventions. These evidence-based interventions are scientifically established and tested in several real-world contexts of intergroup animosities and tensions, from prejudice and inequality reduction to peace promotion. Intergroup hostility, violence, and discrimination have become more and more prevalent in recent decades. To address this challenge, recently, social scientists have shown an increasing shift from a descriptive to a more interventionist science, developing evidence-based interventions to improve intergroup relations. For the first time, this book includes research on intergroup interventions and their applications to the field, from a global collection of leading voices in the discipline. It also includes a conceptualization of intergroup interventions, a typology of different types of interventions, as well as a guideline for effective development of intergroup interventions. Each chapter focuses on one psychological intergroup intervention, further reviewing a sample of relevant platforms such as education, entertainment, and VR, upon which psychological intergroup interventions can be implemented.With each chapter featuring both intervention research and practical advice for practitioners, this is the ideal companion for researchers and professionals in social psychology, sociology, politics, peace studies and conflict resolution. It will also be of interest to practitioners looking for practical advice to create an impact in the real-world.

The Psychology of Attack Politics explores the use of political attacks in election campaigns, and the way in which their, often deliberate, use impacts voters and has wide reaching societal consequences.With most elections being fraught with tension, disrespectful treatment of political opponents, and political incivility, this timely book aims to disentangle the dynamics of how attack politics is perceived (e.g., whether citizens perceive a negative message to be, indeed, negative) and evaluated (i.e., whether citizens like or dislike attack politics). The book also looks at the effects of attack politics, for instance, whether exposure to negative or uncivil messages alters attitudes and behaviors, such as turnout, affective polarization, and support for political violence. The authors provide a systematic conceptualization of attack politics, made up of negativity, incivility, and intolerance. Focusing on cutting- edge research in political psychology, political communication, and electoral behavior, the authors make the central argument that to understand the effects of different forms of attack politics, there should be a strong focus on individual differences in message perception and evaluation.Exploring what ultimately drives the effects of negative, uncivil, and intolerant rhetoric, and analyzing the phenomena at the center of current scientific and public discourse, this is a fascinating reading for academics and students in psychology, political science, sociology, and communication, as well as anyone interested in political campaigning and elections.

The Psychology of Attack Politics explores the use of political attacks in election campaigns, and the way in which their, often deliberate, use impacts voters and has wide reaching societal consequences.With most elections being fraught with tension, disrespectful treatment of political opponents, and political incivility, this timely book aims to disentangle the dynamics of how attack politics is perceived (e.g., whether citizens perceive a negative message to be, indeed, negative) and evaluated (i.e., whether citizens like or dislike attack politics). The book also looks at the effects of attack politics, for instance, whether exposure to negative or uncivil messages alters attitudes and behaviors, such as turnout, affective polarization, and support for political violence. The authors provide a systematic conceptualization of attack politics, made up of negativity, incivility, and intolerance. Focusing on cutting- edge research in political psychology, political communication, and electoral behavior, the authors make the central argument that to understand the effects of different forms of attack politics, there should be a strong focus on individual differences in message perception and evaluation.Exploring what ultimately drives the effects of negative, uncivil, and intolerant rhetoric, and analyzing the phenomena at the center of current scientific and public discourse, this is a fascinating reading for academics and students in psychology, political science, sociology, and communication, as well as anyone interested in political campaigning and elections.

This book provides a definitive guide to the value of reflective thinking in the modern world, showing how today’s most fundamental problems are, to an important degree, based on citizens’ thinking styles.The authors highlight the importance of reflection by systematically revealing the causes underlying differences in people’s thinking styles and the consequences of thinking in different ways. These different ways of thinking contribute to socio-political views, and can result in misunderstandings of complex issues such as beliefs in conspiracy theories and fake news, anti-vaccine attitudes, and even fundamentalism and extremism. By training and strengthening reflective thinking in society, via education and other means, we can encourage individuals to challenge misinformation, and their own belief systems around controversial topics. The book also explores the idea that reflection is not enough on its own and examines the shortcomings of reflection and the other skills that complement it positively, especially holistic and systems thinking. In doing so, the authors highlight how implementing a solid, science-based understanding of key issues in education and society at large, can contribute to the solution of problems, from climate change to economic inequality.By showing how we can put our reflective capacity to good use, alongside critically examining reflection in relation to modern problems experienced by humanity, this book is a fascinating reading for students, researchers, and academics in psychology, politics, and the broader social sciences.

This book provides a definitive guide to the value of reflective thinking in the modern world, showing how today’s most fundamental problems are, to an important degree, based on citizens’ thinking styles.The authors highlight the importance of reflection by systematically revealing the causes underlying differences in people’s thinking styles and the consequences of thinking in different ways. These different ways of thinking contribute to socio-political views, and can result in misunderstandings of complex issues such as beliefs in conspiracy theories and fake news, anti-vaccine attitudes, and even fundamentalism and extremism. By training and strengthening reflective thinking in society, via education and other means, we can encourage individuals to challenge misinformation, and their own belief systems around controversial topics. The book also explores the idea that reflection is not enough on its own and examines the shortcomings of reflection and the other skills that complement it positively, especially holistic and systems thinking. In doing so, the authors highlight how implementing a solid, science-based understanding of key issues in education and society at large, can contribute to the solution of problems, from climate change to economic inequality.By showing how we can put our reflective capacity to good use, alongside critically examining reflection in relation to modern problems experienced by humanity, this book is a fascinating reading for students, researchers, and academics in psychology, politics, and the broader social sciences.

This topical book explores the phenomenon of when and why people protest. Based on social and political psychology, the book takes a comparative approach across and within cultures and examines how human motivation and political and cultural contexts affect protests.Showcasing state-of-the-art chapters from a new generation of social protest researchers, the book offers an overview of research into contemporary social change over the last decade. It draws on interdisciplinary research from social and political psychology across and within cultures to increase the scope of the phenomenon of social protest. The chapters feature different international examples and discuss diverse manifestations of social protest. Each chapter explicitly connects key insights to the practice and real-life relevance of social protest.The book offers a unique perspective of the when and why of social protest, and will be essential reading for students and academics in the fields of social psychology, political psychology, politics, and sociology, as well as anyone in behavioural and social sciences interested in social movements, social protest, and social change.

This topical book explores the phenomenon of when and why people protest. Based on social and political psychology, the book takes a comparative approach across and within cultures and examines how human motivation and political and cultural contexts affect protests.Showcasing state-of-the-art chapters from a new generation of social protest researchers, the book offers an overview of research into contemporary social change over the last decade. It draws on interdisciplinary research from social and political psychology across and within cultures to increase the scope of the phenomenon of social protest. The chapters feature different international examples and discuss diverse manifestations of social protest. Each chapter explicitly connects key insights to the practice and real-life relevance of social protest.The book offers a unique perspective of the when and why of social protest, and will be essential reading for students and academics in the fields of social psychology, political psychology, politics, and sociology, as well as anyone in behavioural and social sciences interested in social movements, social protest, and social change.

This book provides cutting-edge research on animal and vegan advocacy, addressing a defining moral contradiction of our time: even as concern for animals grows, their large-scale exploitation continues. How, then, does change for animals occur? Bringing together leading behavioral and social scientists, this collection synthesizes insights from psychology and related disciplines with evidence from advocacy. The chapters explore how moral concern for animals is sparked or resisted, and why some people change while others defend existing practices. They map the pressure points where “normal” ways of treating animals begin to look less defensible, while revealing the social and psychological factors that sustain exploitation. The book also examines how change unfolds, showing how food environments, public discourse, and legal systems can reinforce or challenge animal exploitation. This is essential reading for students and scholars in the social and behavioral sciences, as well as animal and vegan advocates, policymakers, and general readers interested in animal ethics and social change.