Contributions of Group Psychology to the Study of Political Behavior

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Session Description

This roundtable is focused on the contributions of group-psychology to the study of political behavior. The field of political behavior has shifted emphasis in recent years away from explanations singularly grounded in individual psychology, such as personality, individual cognition, political sophistication, or self-interest, to include group-level explanations. The contemporary study of political behavior is increasingly focused on collective behavior and theories of intergroup relations as explanations for partisan polarization, support for authoritarian leaders, anti-immigration sentiment, and a belief in misinformation.

The growing focus in political behavior research on group-based political behavior is entwined with other changes that have occurred within the field. Intergroup political research draws increasingly on common theoretical frameworks such as social identity theory to explain political behavior in numerous regions of the world. It also builds on an integrated model of affect and cognition, with affect playing an especially important role in motivating collective action and driving responses to societal and personal threat. Roundtable presenters will consider the state of theoretical development and empirical evidence in assessing the contributions of group psychology to their subfield or topic.

The roundtable includes authors of chapters in upcoming third edition of the Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology. Each contributor has written an up-to-date review of their subfield and will provide a clear assessment of the influence of group psychology on a diverse range of political behavior topics. Presenters will touch on the contributions and limitations of a group approach to the study of authoritarianism, political cooperation, nationalism, terrorism, partisanship, partisan polarization, political reasoning, and ethnic, racial and gender-based loyalties and antipathies. Contributors will debate what has been learned about political behavior from insights obtained from group psychology.

Specifically, Michael Bang-Petersen will base his comments on a recent assessment of evolutionary and group psychology. David Sears will ground his comments in what is known about political socialization and the development of group loyalties and antipathies. Jennifer Jerit will consider the influence of group psychology on political reasoning. Stanley Feldman will comment on the link between authoritarianism and group life. Lily Mason will draw on the burgeoning field of group psychology and partisanship. And Leonie Huddy will provide an overview of how group psychology lends clarity to the study of nationalism and patriotism.

Additional authors of chapters in the third edition of the Handbook will be invited to attend the session as members of the audience and encouraged to add insights from their respective areas of expertise. This potentially includes research on foreign policy attitudes, public reactions to terrorism, political communication, political ideology, political morality, and intractable conflict.

Sub Unit

• Division 5: Political Psychology

Chair

• Leonie Huddy SUNY, Stony Brook

Presenters

• Michael Bang Petersen University of Aarhus

• Jennifer Jerit Dartmouth College

• Stanley Feldman Stony Brook University

• David O. Sears University of California, Los Angeles

• Lilliana Hall Mason Johns Hopkins University