Political Psychology PSYC 672 | Midway Room 27 | Wednesdays 6:00 PM – 9:20 PM Instructor: Kerry Kleyman Phone: 651.999.5833 | Fax: 651.999.5822 Email: kerry.kleyman@metrostate.edu Office: Midway Center, Suite 101, 1450 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul, MN 55108-5218 Office Hours: By Appointment Only Required Textbook: Cottam, M.L., Dietz-Uhler, B., Mastors, E., & Preston, T. (2010). Introduction to Political Psychology (2nd Ed.). New York: Psychology Press. Jost, J.T., & Sidanius, J. (Eds., 2004). Political Psychology: Key Readings in Social Psychology. New York: Psychology Press. Additional Readings and materials posted on D2L or distributed by instructor Competence Statement The student will understand the concepts, theories, and practices associated with political psychology* well enough to apply this knowledge to contemporary local and global political issues at an advanced level. The student will be able to analyze and reflect on the ethical dimensions of political, social, and scientific issues, as well as recognizing the diversity of political motivations and interests of others. Finally, the student will be able to identify ways to exercise the rights and responsibilities as a member of a democratic community. * Political psychology is the interdisciplinary pursuit of psychological and political questions; it brings together psychological understandings to political questions, as well as exploring how political contexts influences the ways individuals behave politically. Course Description This course offers a broad overview of political psychology, a field that uses methods and theoretical ideas from psychology as tools to help understand political processes, with a focus on the individual. Concepts from psychology, such as personality, cognition, the dynamics of social groups, attitudes, and the ways in which emotion affects decision making, are applied to concepts within politics, including the media and political advertising, race relations, the perceived legitimacy of government institutions, conflict and conflict resolution, and the formation of opinions and ideologies. In addition, by describing political psychology experimentation in detail, the course teaches about how the scientific method can be applied to the study of politics. Course Objectives This course offers an interdisciplinary perspective of political science and psychology, with a focus on the individual. In the last few decades, political psychology has emerged as an important field in both political science and psychology because it enables us to explain many aspects of political behavior. Both psychologists and political scientists have become interested in expanding their knowledge to solve problems of common interest, such as foreign and domestic policies, conflicts ranging from ethnic violence to wars and genocide, terrorism, the minds of people who are racists, and peaceful behaviors, such as voting and elections. a) To become more knowledgeable about the field of political psychology - its definition, its various domains of study, and its methodologies. b) To examine the impact of personality on political behavior. c) To become familiar with the role of social cognition, social influences, and social relations factors in political behavior. d) To examine the myriad of factors involved in the political psychology of groups. e) To become familiar with the various psychological and political impacting voting behavior. f) To explore the political psychology of race and ethnicity. g) To examine the impact of political psychology as it related to broader international concerns such as nationalism, political extremism, and war h) To design and develop a research proposal utilizing methodologies in current political psychology research. A short letter to the students This syllabus constitutes a “contract” between me, as the instructor, and you, as the student, and thus it requires a clear and comprehensive understanding of what my expectations are of both you and myself. If there is anything that you are unclear about, please approach me immediately so I can clarify any issues. I strongly encourage participation and questions, and because of the sensitive nature of some topics in psychology, encourage students to be open and sensitive to their peers. Any harmful or insensitive comments may result in the student receiving a failing grade. Assignments, Exams and Grading Students are expected to read all the required materials, and be prepared to discuss readings in class. If it is clear that students are not doing the required readings, the instructor may institute pop quizzes on the readings, and assign them a significant point value. The point: Do the readings….they are interesting! Also, many readings (some optional), or other things of interest will be posted on the class website, so check it regularly. Representing and critiquing an assigned article. Regularly during the semester, you will briefly discuss one of the assigned papers. Since most of the time, all in the room have read the paper, focus on the implication of the article, how it may relate to other literature we have read, or share your criticism of it. You should thoughtfully prepare a 10-15 minute abbreviated lecture on a short summary, the high points, and also have 1-2 discussion questions. PowerPoint’s are welcome. You are expected to do a total of 3 of these throughout the semester. Applied Theory Mini Papers Every student is required to write weekly applied theory papers, starting in the second week of the semester (11 papers in total). This is your opportunity to demonstrate that you have read and understand the materials. However, this is NOT a literature review, and papers containing only a review will receive 0 points. The papers provide you with an opportunity to thoughtfully elaborate on your ideas, questions, doubts, or concerns concerning the readings. You should begin every reaction paper with a guiding question [highlight] that is designed to draw attention to important problems in the field or social world. These papers are a way to apply theories you have read about over the week to a situation or event of interest to you. This is a place to develop research ideas, apply theories to events, situations, etc. that are meaningful and interesting to you, and to show comprehension and advanced theoretical thinking. As you grow more comfortable with these papers, you can expand your discussions to critically discuss apparent differences or contradictions between theoretical approaches or empirical findings. You may also wish to apply various theoretical approaches to the same phenomenon and highlight their strengths and weaknesses. The discussion of personal experiences or preferences is perfectly legitimate, as long as you clearly link them to the concepts you wish you discuss. Keep in mind that the instructors have read the readings; hence, there is no need for long summaries of the readings. Also, it is critical that you argue clearly, support your statements with the literature, and present justifications, e.g., for suggested extensions of the present research. Given that the task of integrating and criticizing the readings is relatively open-ended, the grading of the reaction papers will focus on the thoughtfulness, comprehension and the degree to which you succeed advancing an argument and making a (good) point. The reaction papers should be around 1-2 single-spaced page, and should be turned in no later than 6 PM on every Wednesday via dropbox on D2L. You will also be sharing your papers with other students on the D2L site, and should plan on reading a few of your peers’ papers. Applied Integration Paper (MIDTERM) The integration paper should focus on the materials covered in the course. Specifically, the paper will center on analyzing a cross-cultural topic from three core areas (i.e. development, depression, cognition, etc.). For example, you could choose child attachment, and then analyze this topic and some of the major research from perspectives of language, gender and development. You should be prepared to fully integrate concepts from the readings and lectures into your paper to create a seamless analysis of your topic. The format of the papers should follow APA style (6th ed.). The length of each paper should be a minimum of 8 pages and a maximum of 10 double-spaced pages, approx. 12 point font, 1” margins. The papers will be graded based on the breadth of the literature you are able to integrate, on the originality and quality of the analysis, and the quality of writing. Multiple instances of spelling and grammatical errors will result in automatically losing 10% of the points. Research Proposal Over the course of the semester, every participant is required to write a research proposal. You are free to pick any topic of interest to you, as long as it falls within the broad purview of political psychology. I expect you to meet with me prior to your initial submission (no later than October 16) to discuss your topic of interest and strategies of implementing your research question. The format of a proposal should resemble the introduction and method section of an article in the empirical social sciences. There are no specific length requirements; yet the assumption is that your proposal is no shorter than 10 pages and no longer than 20 pages (counting without title page and reference list; double-spaced, 1 inch margins). Use APA style 6th ed. Research Proposal Presentation All students are expected to present their research proposal. Each presentation should be 10 minutes [TBD depending on number of students] allowing for a 5-10 minute discussion. I strongly recommend that you use a visual aid (PowerPoint, transparencies) for your presentation. It is essential that you practice this ahead of time, because I will be timing you!!! I will have some sample formats posted on the class website. Late Policy for Papers/Exams Unless discussed with me prior to the deadline, no late papers or exams will be accepted. No Exceptions. If you discuss with the instructor prior to the due date, there will be a point deduction based on the number of days/weeks late. Everything is due at the beginning of class on the specified due date (i.e. 1 pm). Attendance/Participation You are expected to attend class and participate. During lectures, some materials will be presented that are not found in your textbook, including new research, film clips, learning exercises, and handouts. You are responsible for knowing these materials as well as the content from the textbook for the exams. If you miss a class, please contact a classmate to determine what you missed. It is your responsibility to obtain missed content from lectures. Finally, out of consideration for your fellow classmates and for me, please be on time. If an emergency requires your absence or early departure, please inform me beforehand. There is a strict policy for cell phone and laptop use. You may use your laptop for notes, but nothing else. No cell phones, no texting…this is really disruptive to the flow of the class and disruptive to other students. If you come in late, please be respectful and quiet. You can check in for attendance at the first break. If you need to leave early, also be respectful and quiet, and let me know ahead of time. Most of the important class information is discussed at the beginning and end of class, so if you are late or leave early, it is your responsibility to determine what you missed. Any insensitive or disrespectful behavior towards me or other classmates will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave the course for the remainder of the evening. Multiple occasions of this type of behavior will result in your dismissal from the course and a failing grade. A 360 – 400 Description Attendance Reaction Papers Article Critiques Integration Paper Research Proposal Proposal Presentation B 320 – 359 C 280 – 319 D 240 – 279 15 X 2 for attendance Starting Sep 4 with Personality (due) – 11 X 10 4 presentations in class (4 X 10) Total Points Available F 239 & Below Points 30 110 40 100 100 20 400 Any students needing accommodations should inform the instructor. Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) early in the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. Students may contact the DRC by visiting the Center (located in at the Main Campus, FH 225), by phoning 651-793-1539; TTY 651-772-7687, or visiting their website at http://archive.metrostate.edu/studentaff/disability/. All information will remain confidential. Academic Honesty It is expected that all written work handed in by students represents their own words and thinking and is not copied from someone else’s work and words. Plagiarism (“the appropriation...of language, ideas, and thoughts of another author and representation of them as one’s original work”) or Cheating on an exam are serious academic infractions that will result in academic disciplinary measures being taken. More generally, any act of academic dishonesty (as defined in the Student Handbook and General Catalog) will not be tolerated and will be handled according to University policy. Any instance of plagiarism or cheating will also result in a failing grade in the course. 1. http://www.metrostate.edu/handbook/academic.html 2. http://www.citationmachine.net/ 3. http://www.mnscu.edu/board/policy/326.html Make sure to cite when: You make a claim that could be challenged. You quote somebody. You make a specific claim that is not common knowledge. You paraphrase information from a source (give the meaning but change the wording). Offer an authoritative (expert) opinion. You got an idea from somebody else, even through email or conversation. Resources for citing and references in APA style: Metropolitan State Writing Lab (http://www.metrostate.edu/msweb/resources/academic_ss/cae/writing_center/index.html) Saint Paul campus, Library and Learning Center Room 130 Midway campus, Lower Level Room H Psychology Lab (http://www.metrostate.edu/msweb/explore/cps/departments/psych/lab/index.html) New Main L202 Purdue Online Writing Lab: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ Cornell University Library: http://www.library.cornell.edu/resrch/citmanage/apa Course Drop and Withdraw Students may drop this course at any time during the first week of the term without cost or penalty. The Drop deadline is September 1, 2014. Students who continue past the drop date but cannot finish the course (or do not expect to finish successfully) might consider Withdrawing from the course. Students Withdrawing is assigned a grade of “W” which will be counted in your completion ratio. Please consult your advisor or the instructor for more information on the “W” grade. The last day to Withdraw from a course this term is November 21, 2014. Schedule (*schedule is subject to change) Aug 27 Introduction to Course and What is Political Psychology Syllabus Discussion In Class Discussion of What Political Psychology is. Current state of political psychology, recent changes, expectations of the future. Readings Chapter 1 In Class: Posture and Political Psychology (The Economist) In Class: Polling places can influence voter's decision-making Required Additional Readings: o Key Readings in Political Psychology: The Poly-Psy Relationship: Three Phases of a Long Affair (pp. 22-32) o Krosnick, J. A. (2002). Is political psychology sufficiently psychological? Distinguishing political psychology from psychological political science. In J. H. Kuklinski (Ed.), Thinking about Political Psychology (pp. 187-216). New York: Cambridge University Press. o Rahn, W.M., Sullivan, T.J., & Rudolph, T.J. (2002). Political Psychology and Political Science. In J. H. Kuklinski (Ed.), Thinking about Political Psychology (pp. 155-186). New York: Cambridge University Press. Sep 3 Personality and Politics Personality and Politics, and Authoritarian Personality 1st Reaction Paper Due Today Readings Chapter 2 Required Additional Readings: o Key Readings in Political Psychology: The Authoritarian Personality and the Organization of Attitudes (pp. 39-68) The Other “Authoritarian Personality” (pp. 85-107) Can Personality and Politics Be Studied Systematically? (pp. 108-123) o Caprara, G., Schwartz, S., Capanna, C., Vecchione, M., & Barbaranelli, C. (2006). Personality and Politics: Values, Traits, and Political Choice. Political Psychology, 27, 1-28. o Carney, D.R., Jost, J.T., Gosling, S.D., & Potter, J. (2008). The secret lives of liberals and conservatives: Personality profiles, interaction styles, and the things they leave behind. Political Psychology, 29, 807-840. Sept 10 Cognition, Social Identity, Emotions, and Attitudes in Political Psychology Cognition, Attitude Structures, and Emotion Readings Chapter 3 Required Additional Readings: o Key Readings in Political Psychology: The Nature of Belief Systems in Mass Publics (pp. 181-199) The Origins and Meanings of Liberal/Conservative Self-Identifications (pp. 200-216) Contrasting Rational and Psychological Analysis of Political Choice (pp. 244258) The Drunkard’s Search (pp. 259-270) o Sept 17 Krosnick, J.A. (2002). The Challenges of Political Psychology: Lessons to be Learned from Research on Attitude Perception. In J.H. Kuklinski (Ed.), Thinking about Political Psychology (pp. 115-152). New York, NY: Cambridge. Social Justice, and Equality Social Justice and Equality Readings (Posted) 1. Skitka, L. J., & Crosby, F. J. (2003). Trends in the Social Psychological Study of Justice. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 7, 282-285. 2. Tyler, T.R., & van der Toorn, J. (2013). Social Justice. In L. Huddy, D.O. Sears, & J. Levy (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology (2nd Ed; pp. 627-661). New York: Oxford University Press. Required Additional Readings: o Key Readings in Political Psychology: The Fear of Equality (pp. 217-229) o Sidanuis, J., & Kurzban, R. (2003). Evolutionary approaches to political psychology. In L. Huddy, D.O. Sears, & J. Levy (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology (2nd Ed; pp. 205-236). New York: Oxford University Press. o Sidanius, J., Pratto, F., van Laar, C., & Levin, S. (2004). Social Dominance Theory: Its Agenda and Method. Political Psychology, 25, 845-880. o Crosby, F. J., & Franco, J. L. (2003). Connections Between the Ivory Tower and the Multicolored World: Linking Abstract Theories of Social Justice to the Rough and Tumble of Affirmative Action. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 7, 362-373. Sept 24 Morality and Religion Morality and Religion Readings (Posted) o Haidt, J. (2008). The emotional dog and its rational tail: A social intuitionist approach to moral judgment. In J. E. Adler, L. J. Rips (Eds.), Reasoning: Studies of human inference and its foundations (pp. 1024-1052). New York, NY, US: Cambridge University Press. Required Additional Readings: o Graham, J., Haidt, J., & Nosek, B. A. (2009). Liberals and conservatives rely on different sets of moral foundations. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 96, 1029-1046. o Feather, N. T. (1984). Protestant Ethic, conservatism, and values. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 46, 1132-1141. o Starks, B., & Robinson, R. V. (2009). Two approaches to religion and politics: Moral cosmology and subcultural identity. Journal For The Scientific Study Of Religion, 48, 650-669. o Cornwell, J. M., & Higgins, E. (2013). Morality and its relation to political ideology: The role of promotion and prevention concerns. Personality And Social Psychology Bulletin, 39, 1164-1172. Oct 1 The Political Psychology of Groups The Political Psychology of the Individual within Groups and Social Movements Readings Chapter 4 Required Additional Readings: o Key Readings in Political Psychology: The Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Behavior (pp. 276-293) Politicized Collective Identity (pp. 449-466) o McAdam, D. (2003). Beyond Structural Analysis: Toward a More Dynamic Understanding of Social Movements. In M. Diani, & D. McAdam (Eds.) Social Movements and Networks: Relational Approaches to Collective Action (pp. 281-298). New York: Oxford University Press. o Janis, I.L. (1982). The Groupthink Syndrome. In I.L. Janis Groupthink (2nd Ed.; pp. 174-197). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. Oct 8 The Study of Political Leaders Political Leadership, Characteristics, Illness, and Expectations Readings Chapter 5 McDermott, R. (2008). Introduction. In R. McDermott Presidential Leadership, Illness, and Decision Making (pp. 1-18). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Required Additional Readings: o Johnson, D., et al. (2006). Overconfidence in wargames: Experimental evidence on expectations, aggression, gender and testosterone. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 273, 2513-2520. o Dyson, S., & Preston, T. (2006). Individual Characteristics of Political Leaders and the Use of Analogy in Foreign Policy Decision Making. Political Psychology, 27, 265288. o McDermott, R. (2008). Aging, Illness, and Addiction. In R. McDermott Presidential Leadership, Illness, and Decision Making (pp. 19-44). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. o Keller, J. W., & Foster, D. M. (2012). Presidential leadership style and the political use of force. Political Psychology, 33, 581-598. Oct 15 Voting, Role of the Media, and Political Socialization Voting, Role of the Media, and Political Socialization Readings Chapter 6 Required Additional Readings: o Key Readings in Political Psychology: Experimental demonstrations of the “not-so-minimal” consequences of television news programs (pp. 139-149) Altering the foundations of support for the President through priming (pp. 150-162) o Huckfeldt, R. & Mendez, J.M. (2008). Moths, Flames, and Political Engagement: Managing Disagreement within Communication Networks. Journal of Politics, 70, 8396. o Luskin, R.C. (2002). From Denial To Extenuation (And Finally Beyond): Political Sophistication And Citizen Performance. In J.H. Kuklinski (Ed.), Thinking about Political Psychology (pp. 281-305). New York, NY: Cambridge. o Sears, D.O., & Brown, C. (2013). Childhood and Adult Political Development. In L. Huddy, D.O. Sears, & J. Levy (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology (2nd Ed; pp. 59-95). New York: Oxford University Press. Oct 22 The Political Psychology of Prejudice, Diversity and Intergroup Contact Race and Ethnocentrism Readings Chapter 7 Required Additional Readings: o Key Readings in Political Psychology: The role of stereotyping in system justification and the production of false consciousness (pp. 294-314) Group conflict, prejudice and the paradox of contemporary racial attitudes (pp. 333-357) Is it really racism? The origins of White Americans’ opposition to racetargeted policies (pp. 358-378) o Steele, C.M., Spencer, S.J., Aronson, J. (2002). Contending with Group Image. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 34, 379-440. o Pettigrew, T.F., & Tropp, L.R. (2003). Interpersonal Relations and Group Processes: A Meta-Analytic Test of Intergroup Contact Theory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90, 751-783. Graduates – Midterm Applied Integration Paper Due Today NO REACTION PAPER DUE THIS WEEK!!! Oct 29 From Ethnic Conflict to Genocide Ethnic Conflict, Political Extremists, Genocide and Altruism Readings Chapter 8 Required Additional Readings: o Key Readings in Political Psychology: Theoretical approaches to explaining collective political violence (pp. 432448) o Habyarimana, J., Humphreys, M., Posner, D. N., & Weinstein, J. M. (2007). Why does ethnic diversity undermine public goods provision?. American Political Science Review, 101, 709-725. o Staub, E. (2006). Reconciliation after Genocide, Mass Killing, or Intractable Conflict: Understanding the Roots of Violence, Psychological Recovery, and Steps toward a General Theory. Political Psychology, 27, 867-894. o Franco, Z. E., Blau, K., & Zimbardo, P. G. (2011). Heroism: A conceptual analysis and differentiation between heroic action and altruism. Review Of General Psychology, 15, 99-113. Nov 5 The Political Psychology of Nationalism and Patriotism Nationalism and Patriotism Readings Chapter 9 Required Additional Readings: o Kramer, R. (1998). Paranoid Cognition in Social Systems: Thinking and Acting in the Shadow of Doubt. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 2, 251-275. o Billig, M. (1995). Philosophy as a Flag for the Pax Americana. In M. Billig’s Banal Nationalism (pp. 154-173). London: SAGE Publications. o o Nov 12 Kemmelmeier, M., & Winter, D. G. (2008). Sowing patriotism, but reaping nationalism? Consequences of exposure to the American flag. Political Psychology, 29, 859-879. Li, Q., & Brewer, M. B. (2004). What Does It Mean to Be an American? Patriotism, Nationalism, and American Identity After 9/11. Political Psychology, 25, 727-739. The Political Psychology of Terrorism Terrorism, Terrorist Groups, State Terror and Cultures of Fear Readings Chapter 10 Required Additional Readings: o Key Readings in Political Psychology: The psychology of political terrorism (pp. 411-431) Social organization for the production of evil (pp. 383-410) o Crenshaw, M. (1986). The Psychology of Political Terrorism. In M.G. Hermann (Ed.) Political Psychology: Contemporary Problems and Issues (pp. 379-413). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. o Kruglanski, A. W., Chen, X., Dechesne, M., Fishman, S., & Orehek, E. (2009). Fully committed: Suicide bombers' motivation and the quest for personal significance. Political Psychology, 30, 331-357. o Braithwaite, A. (2013). The logic of public fear in terrorism and counter-terrorism. Journal Of Police And Criminal Psychology, 28, 95-101. Nov 19 Violence and War, Modern Security Structures Readings Chapter 11 Required Additional Readings: o Kramer, R., Meyerson, D., & Davis, G. (1990). How much is enough? Psychological components of 'guns versus butter' decisions in a security dilemma. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58, 984-993. o Herrmann, R.K. (2013). Perceptions and Image Theory in International Relations. In L. Huddy, D.O. Sears, & J. Levy (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology (2nd Ed; pp. 334-363). New York: Oxford University Press. o Levy, J.S. (2013). Psychology and Foreign Policy Decision-Making. In L. Huddy, D.O. Sears, & J. Levy (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology (2nd Ed; pp. 301333). New York: Oxford University Press. o Khong, Y.F. (1992). The psychology of analogical reasoning. In Y.F. Khong Analogies at War (pp. 209-250). Princeton: Princeton University Press. Nov 26 NO CLASS…Happy Turkey Day Dec 3 Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation War Tribunals, Truth and Reconciliation Readings Chapter 12 Required Additional Readings: o Nan, S.A. (2013). Conflict Analysis and Resolution. In L. Huddy, D.O. Sears, & J. Levy (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology (2nd Ed; pp. 489-524). New York: Oxford University Press. o o Dec 10 Bar-Tal, D., & Halperin, E. (2013). The psychology of intractable conflicts: eruption, escalation and peacemaking. In L. Huddy, D.O. Sears, & J. Levy (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology (2nd Ed; pp. 923-956). New York: Oxford University Press. Staub, E. (2006). Reconciliation after Genocide, Mass Killing, or Intractable Conflict: Understanding the roots of violence, psychological recovery, and steps toward a general theory. Political Psychology, 27, 867 – 894. Research Proposal Due Graduate Student Presentations