Introduction to Political Psychology
Thomas Preston author Elena Mastors author Martha L Cottam author Joe W Huseby author
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Publishing:17th Sep '25
£140.00
This title is due to be published on 17th September, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£74.99(9781032783765)
This fifth edition of Introduction to Political Psychology explores the many psychological patterns that influence individual political behavior. The authors introduce readers to a broad range of theories, concepts, and case studies of political activity, arguing that individuals are driven or motivated to act in accordance with personality characteristics, values, beliefs, and attachments to groups. The book explains many aspects of political behavior—whether seemingly pathological actions or normal decision-making practices, which sometimes work optimally, and sometimes fail.
Thoroughly updated throughout, the book examines patterns of political behavior in areas including leadership, group behavior, voting, race, nationalism, terrorism, and war. This edition features:
- Detailed coverage of political polarisation, and the psychology behind it
- Up-to-date topics and case studies focused on the 2024 US election, the war in Ukraine, and the Israel-Palestine conflict, as well as social movements such as climate change activism, Black Lives Matter, and #MeToo
- A robust suite of timesaving instructor resources
Accessibly written and comprehensive in scope, it is an essential companion for all graduate and upper-level undergraduate students of psychology, political science, and political psychology. It will also be of interest to those in the policy-making community, especially those looking to learn more about the extent to which perceptions, personality, and group dynamics affect the policy-making arena.
"In this new edition of their classic textbook, Cottam, Mastors, Preston and Huseby provide a comprehensive introduction to political psychology, a field which they correctly note is exploding in popularity. Many of our contemporary problems, the authors skillfully show, have their roots in the psychology of political action. Indispensable to beginner and advanced students alike, this is an essential text with a fresh new polish."
Dr Stephen Dyson, Professor of Political Science, University of Connecticut, US
"This magisterial text belongs on the shelf of every international relations scholar and political scientist. Its breadth is truly extraordinary, and the authorial team are leading experts in the field of political psychology. Whether one is interested in the personalities of world leaders or the pathologies of groups and coalitions or the dynamics of ethnic conflict, nationalism, and terror, this book overviews both foundational and cutting-edge research, complemented by numerous in-depth case studies. In sum, this volume serves not only as an introduction to the field for newcomers, including students, but as an invaluable companion and reference for scholars and practitioners."
Dr Valerie M. Hudson, University Distinguished Professor, Texas A&M University, US
"This book provides students with an eye-opening and intriguing introduction to how individuals participate in and influence politics—from voters to leaders. It describes a wide range of topics regarding how psychological processes help to shape politics from one’s identity to level of participation, from leadership to engaging in collaboration, from how the media works to terrorism. As well as describing theories and research, it also provides case studies to illustrate how the psychological processes actually work. This book brings political psychology alive for the reader!"
Margaret G. Hermann, Cramer Professor of Global Affairs Emerita, Syracuse University
ISBN: 9781032797915
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 453g
618 pages
5th edition