The Political Mind: An Introduction to Political Psychology 2500-PL-PS-FO-47

Course Objective
The goal of the course is to introduce participants to key knowledge in political psychology — an interdisciplinary field that examines how psychological processes shape our political views, decisions, and engagement. During the course, we will explore the mechanisms behind social polarization, support for different types of leaders, and reactions to significant political events.

Why do people hold such different political views? What drives some individuals to engage actively in politics — participating in protests, signing petitions, or engaging in online discussions — while others prefer to avoid these topics altogether? This course aims to explore the psychological mechanisms that shape our political attitudes, decisions, and public engagement.

During the sessions, we will collectively examine what political ideology really is and why it cannot simply be reduced to a left-right division. We will compare different dimensions of political views — social and economic — and take a closer look at phenomena such as right-wing and left-wing authoritarianism and the orientation toward social dominance.

We will also delve into the psychological foundations of political beliefs. Often, political views are closely tied to our need for a sense of security. People who feel threatened may lean toward forms of government that promise order and stability. In contrast, those who perceive the world as safe are more open to change, which can favor progressive views. We will discuss whether this is always the case, and explore how cognitive processes are linked to preferences for liberalism or conservatism.

We will also address the issue of social inequalities — why some justify them, seeing them as a natural order of things, while others strive to eliminate them. We will explore how belief in a just system can hinder the actions of disadvantaged groups in their pursuit of improving their situation.

The course will also allow us to examine political marketing, which often uses emotions, manipulation, and misinformation to influence electoral decisions. In this context, we will also discuss the role of opinion polls — not only in predicting results but also in shaping public opinion.

This course is for anyone who wants to better understand the psychological mechanisms behind politics — both the big politics and the everyday politics present in conversations, social media, and personal choices.