Contents:
Part I: Historical Introduction. Reading 1. W.J. McGuire, The Poly-psy Relationship: Three Phases of a Long Affair. Part II: Personality and Politics. A. Authoritarianism and Mass Psychology. Reading 2. R. Brown. The Authoritarian Personality and the Organization of Attitudes. Reading 3. R.M. Doty, B.E. Peterson, and D.G. Winter, Threat and Authoritarianism in the United States: 1978-1987. Reading 4. B. Altemeyer. The Other "Authoritarian Personality". B. Political Elites and Leadership. Reading 5:Greenstein, Can Personality and Politics be Studied Systematically? Reading 6: D.G. Winter, Leader Appeal, Leader Performance, and the Motive Profiles of Leaders and Followers: A Study of American Presidents and Elections. Part III: Mass Media and Candidate Perception. Reading 7. S. Iyengar, M.D. Peters, D.R. Kinder. Experimental Demonstrations of the "not-so-minimal" Consequences of Television News Programs. Reading 8. J.A. Krosnick, D.R. Kinder. Altering the Foundations of support for the president through priming. Reading 9. G.E. Marcus and M.B. MacKuen. Anxiety, Enthusiasm, and the Vote: The Emotional Underpinnings of Learning and Involvement During Presidential Campaigns. Part IV: Ideology and Public Opinion. A. Does Ideology Exist? Reading 10. P.E. Converse. The Nature of Belief Systems in Mass Publics. Reading 11. P. Johnston Conover and S. Feldman. The Origins and Meaning of Liberal-Conservative Self-Identification. B. Cognitive Style and Ideological Functioning. Reading 12. R.E. Lane, The Fear of Equality. Reading 13. P.E. Tetlock, Cognitive Style and Political Belief Systems in the British House of Commons. Part V. Challenges of Decision-Making. Reading 14. G.A. Quattrone, A. Tversky. Contrasting Rational and Psychological Analyses of Political Choice. Reading 15. R. Jervis. The Drunkard's Search. Part VI. Prejudice, Diversity, and Social Contact. A. Theories of Intergroup Relations in Society. Reading 16. H. Tajfel, J.C. Turner . The Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Behavior. Reading 17. J.T. Jost, M.R. Banaji. The Role of Stereotyping in System-Justification and the Production of False Consciousness. Reading 18. J. Sidanius and F. Pratto. Social Dominance Theory: A New Synthesis. B. The Enduring Problem of Racism. Reading 19. L. Bobo., Group Conflict, Prejudice and the Paradox of Contemporary Racial Attitudes. Reading 20. D.O. Sears, C. van Laar, M. Carrillo, and R. Kosterman. Is it Really Racism? The Origins of White Americans' Opposition to Race-targeted Policies. Part VII. Conflict, Violence, and Political Transformation. A. The Social Psychology of Wrongdoing and Harm. Reading 21. J. M. Darley, Social Organization for the Production of Evil. Reading 22. M. Crenshaw. The Psychology of Political Terrorism. B. Protest and Revolution. Reading 23. H. Eckstein. Theoretical Approaches to Explaining Collective Political Violence. Reading 24. B. Simon, B. Klandermans. Politicized Collective Identity. Appendix. C.H. Jordan, M.P. Zanna. How to Read a Journal Article in Social Psychology.

Political psychology is a dynamic subfield at the intersection of psychology and political science. The specific relationship between politics and social psychology has been steadily evolving in recent years, making it a compelling and exciting area of study. The chapters in this reader were written by leading scholars in the areas of political science and social psychology. The interdisciplinary fusion reflects the vast range of topics and issues at the forefront of each field. Both contemporary and classic articles are compiled, demonstrating the ever-changing nature of political psychology and offering comprehensive coverage of social psychological research into the processes that have governed local and global affairs in the postmodern world. Topics covered include authoritarianism, political leadership, public opinion, decision-making, prejudice, intergroup relations, terrorism and revolution.

The volume also contains a historical introduction which reviews the symbiotic relationship of political science and psychology. Section introductions, discussion questions, suggestions for further reading and comprehensive indexes make this an ideal, accessible text for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in courses on political science and social psychology.

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A leading psychologist explains why nearly all of us-including many of those who are persecuted and powerless-so often defend the social systems that cause misery and injustice. Why do we so often defend the very social systems that are responsible for injustice and exploitation? In A Theory of System Justification, John Jost argues that we are motivated to defend the status quo because doing so serves fundamental psychological needs for certainty, security, and social acceptance. We want to feel good not only about ourselves and the groups to which we belong, but also about the overarching social structure in which we live, even when it hurts others and ourselves. Jost lays out the wide range of evidence for his groundbreaking theory and examines its implications for our communities and our democracy. Drawing on twenty-five years of research, he provides an accessible account of system justification theory and its insights. System justification helps to explain deep contradictions, including the feeling among some women that they don't deserve the same salaries as men and the tendency of some poor people to vote for policies that increase economic inequality. The theory illuminates the most pressing social and political issues of our time-why has it been so hard to combat anthropogenic climate change?-as well as some of the most intimate-why do some black children prefer white dolls to black ones and why do some people stay in bad relationships? Jost's theory has far-reaching implications, and he offers numerous insights that political activists and social justice advocates can use to promote change.

This new volume on Social and Psychological Bases of Ideology and System Justification brings together several of the most prominent social and political psychologists who are responsible for the resurgence of interest in the study of ideology, broadly defined. Leading scientists and scholars from several related disciplines, including psychology, sociology, political science, law, and organizational behavior present their cutting-edge theorizing and research. Topics include the social, personality, cognitive and motivational antecedents and consequences of adopting liberal versus conservative ideologies, the social and psychological functions served by political and religious ideologies, and the myriad ways in which people defend, bolster, and justify the social systems they inhabit. This book is the first of its kind, bringing together formerly independent lines of research on ideology and system justification.

This book addresses how people think about inequalities of race, gender, class, status, and power, and it focuses on why social inequality is perceived as fair and legitimate. Work on stereotyping and internalization of inferiority helps to explain why the oppressed do not revolt. The book has important implications for leadership and politics and for understanding how businesses and governments maintain their legitimacy to customers and public audiences.

This book addresses how people think about inequalities of race, gender, class, status, and power, and it focuses on why social inequality is perceived as fair and legitimate. Work on stereotyping and internalization of inferiority helps to explain why the oppressed do not revolt. The book has important implications for leadership and politics and for understanding how businesses and governments maintain their legitimacy to customers and public audiences.