Contemporary Political Psychology (SP383) | GSÜ

Content

Objective

This course analyzes the psychological processes that shape individuals’ relationships with politics. It examines how political behavior is formed through political cognition, emotions, identities, and group dynamics. The course addresses contemporary political issues such as polarization, populism, misinformation, and authoritarian tendencies from a psychological perspective.

Course Content

This course provides an introduction to the main concepts, theories, and approaches of political psychology. It examines the psychological mechanisms that influence political attitudes and behavior, particularly cognition, emotions, social identity, values, and ideological orientations. Particular attention is paid to the processes of political opinion formation, voting behavior, polarization, and the relationship between political psychology and democracy. Theoretical approaches are illustrated through empirical research and examples drawn from contemporary politics.

Course Learning Outcomes

To understand the fundamental concepts of political psychology
To analyze political behavior through psychological processes
To critically engage with contemporary political phenomena

Teaching and Learning Methods

Lectures, conceptual and theoretical analysis, case studies, analysis of current political developments in light of political psychology theories, and classroom discussions.

References

1. Huddy, L., Sears, D. O., Levy, J. S., & Jerit, J. (Eds.). (2023). *The Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology* (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

2. Osborne, D., & Sibley, C. G. (Eds.). (2022). *The Cambridge Handbook of Political Psychology*. Cambridge University Press.

3. Cottam, M. L., Mastors, E., Preston, T., & Huseby, J. W. (2025). *Introduction to Political Psychology* (5th ed.). Routledge.

4. Houghton, D. P. (2026). *Political Psychology: Situations, Individuals, and Cases* (3rd ed.). Routledge.

5. Jost, J. T., & Sidanius, J. (Eds.). (2004). *Political Psychology: Key Readings*. Psychology Press.

Dersin haftalık zorunlu ve tamamlayıcı okumaları ile diğer ders materyalleri Microsoft Teams üzerinden öğrencilerle paylaşılacaktır.

Weekly Contents

Theory Topics
Week	Weekly Contents
1	Introduction to Political Psychology: Psychological Foundations of Political Behavior
2	Political Cognition: Processes of Political Information Processing
3	Attitudes and Beliefs: Formation and Resistance of Political Judgments
4	Identity and Politics: Group Belonging and Political Behavior
5	Emotions and Politics: The Role of Affect in Political Decision-Making
6	Authoritarianism and Obedience: Psychological Dynamics of Political Attitudes
7	Midterm Exam
8	Political Leadership: Perception, Emotion, and Psychological Mechanisms
9	Political Communication: Perception, Framing, and Meaning-Making
10	Affective Polarization: Group Identity and Political Hostility
11	Misinformation: Belief, Perception, and Resistance Mechanisms
12	Populism: The Psychological Construction of Political Belonging
13	Democracy and Political Behavior: The Relationship Between Individuals and Systems
14	Democracy and Political Behavior: The Relationship Between Individuals and Systems

Assessment System

Contribution to Overall Grade
Activities	Number	Contribution
Contribution of in-term studies to overall grade	1	50
Contribution of final exam to overall grade	1	50
Total	2	100

In-Term Studies
Activities	Number	Contribution
Assignments	0	0
Presentation	0	0
Midterm Examinations (including preparation)	1	50
Project	0	0
Laboratory	0	0
Other Applications	0	0
Quiz	0	0
Term Paper/ Project	0	0
Portfolio Study	0	0
Reports	0	0
Learning Diary	0	0
Thesis/ Project	0	0
Seminar	0	0
Other	0	0
Make-up	0	0
Total	1	50

Relation of Proficiency

No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	Understanding the major theories, concepts, foundations, and methodologies used in the study of politics.					X
2	Identifying the structure and operation of the political system in Turkey and other political systems in the world.
3	Identifying and gathering information from credible primary and secondary sources; analyzing and synthesizing the acquired knowledge.					X
4	Generating and testing empirically hypotheses about political processes, institutions, mechanisms and relationships.					X
5	Designing, conducting and interpreting the results of original research in accordance with the scientific and ethical principles by using basic research methods.					X
6	Showing awareness and sensivity towards issues related to democracy, human rights and social peace.			X
7	Appraising the sources of societal conflict and how they can be resolved by political means.			X
8	Examining critically the nature of change in the global political community, and the complex character of processes such as globalization.		X
9	Taking a role in a teamwork in political science and general fields of other related disciplines.
10	Following publications in foreign languages and communicating with the colleagues in the international environment by using French which is the language of education in Galatasaray University and English, the compulsory foreign language.					X
11	Using required level of information and communication technologies.					X

ECTS

Activities	Number	Period	Total Workload
Class Hours	13	2	26
Working Hours out of Class	11	2	22
Assignments	0	0	0
Presentation	0	0	0
Midterm Examinations (including preparation)	6	2	12
Project	0	0	0
Laboratory	0	0	0
Other Applications	15	1	15
Final Examinations (including preparation)	0	0	0
Quiz	0	0	0
Term Paper/ Project	0	0	0
Portfolio Study	0	0	0
Reports	0	0	0
Learning Diary	0	0	0
Thesis/ Project	0	0	0
Seminar	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0
Make-up	0	0	0
Yıl Sonu	0	0	0
Hazırlık Yıl Sonu	25	1	25
Hazırlık Bütünleme	0	0	0
Total Workload			100
Total Workload / 25			4.00
Credits ECTS			4