Most important topics

Question 1

What is political psychology?

Answer 1

Boarder between political science and psychology: adresses the way in which political institutions both affects and are affected by human behaviour

Question 2

Mortality salience and political choice (Terror Management theory)

Answer 2

Making research participants aware of their own mortality(death) leads them to be more aware to established belief system and identities.

Mortality salience produces:

• grater patriotism and hostility towards critics of one´s nation
• stronger endorsement of the unique validity of one´s own religion
• Stronger support for traditional gender norms, greater attention to established norms of procedural fairness
• Increased level of stereotyping
• stronger preference for aggressive responses to individuals and groups who are perceived as threatening to the cultural worldview.

When people get aware of their mortality, they tend to want whats safe and known, and therefore might turn to conservatism. (political choice)

Question 3

Scapegoating

Answer 3

Definition: the venting of frustration on an innocent, but weak target.

The two “classical” version:
- External event (aggression is displaced –> complementary projection)
- Internal conflict version:
Aggression is displaced –> direct projection

Problem concerning scapegoat theories:

• No clear explanation how the target is chosen
• No clear explanation of the displacement
• No proof of its existence frustration –> aggression –> catharsis

Why does it occur?

• Collective frustration may require collective, rather than individual responses
• The scale of the events often impedes peoples ability to find alternative ways to fulfill their goals
• Frustration stem from large-scale events. Defy simple explanations.

Question 4

Four roots of evil

Answer 4

Primary causes:
1) Idealism
2) Threatened egotism
Secondary causes:
3) Instrumental pursuit of selfish gain
4) Sadism

Question 5

Zimbardo experiment

Answer 5

24 volunteers were randomly assigned to either the prisoner group or the guard group. Prisoners were to remain in the mock prison 24 hours a day for the duration of the study. Guards, were assigned to work in three-man teams for eight-hours shift. Guards were allowed to return to their homes until their next shit.
Researchers were able to observe the behaviour of the prisoners and guards using hidden cameras and microphones.

Question 6

RWA (right wing-authoritarianism)

Answer 6

1) Authoritarian aggression
2) Authoritarian submission
3) Conventionalism

Psychologically, right-wing-authoritarianism is submission to perceived authorities, particularly those in the establishment or established system of governance (can occur in any political system

Characteristics:

• Lack of critical thinking
• Acceptance of contradictory ideas
• Seeing the world as a very dangerous place (taught this by parents, resulting fear drives much of their aggression)
• careful looking for evidence that approves opposite of what they have decided to be true/think.
• Are particularly influenced by the fundamental attribution error: they attribute the behaviour of others to internal disposition and their own behaviour to external forces.

Scores on the RWA scale predicts:

1) Racism
2) Sexism
3) Political conservatism
4) Support for the death penalty
5) Patriotism
6) Religious fundamentalism
7) Militarism

Question 7

Ferenc Mérei

Answer 7

which is stronger, the group made up of individuals of average social penetration, or the individual of high degree of social penetration but alien to the group? Do group habits and traditions change with the appearance of a leader?

Question 8

Classical monuments

Answer 8

to remember an event or a person that was heroic, great or tragic

Question 9

Counter monuments

Answer 9

to remember crimes committed in a way that does not create continuing anxiety, but at the same time acknowledges so the affected people can be healed psychologically

Question 10

Systemic frustration (definition, where and why, give examples with graphic models)

Answer 10

Definition: interference with the attainment of goals, aspirations, or expectations.

Why?:

1) Frustration interfering with the attainment and maintenance of social goals, aspirations and values
2) frustration simultaneously experienced by members of social aggregates and hence also complex social systems
3) frustration or strain that is produced within the structures and processes of social systems

Question 11

Taxonomy of prejudice

Answer 11

Envious prejudice
• Relative status: high (or equal with the in-group’s status)
• Interdependence: competitive
• Stereotype: competent but not warm
• Emotions: envy, fear, resentment, hostility grudging admiration of abilities
• Behaviour: avoid, exclude, segregate, exterminate
• Experienced by: dominants whose status is slipping and disadvantaged groups toward successful minorities/ dominants
+ the tradition of the scapegoat role in the society
Contemptuous prejudice
• Relative status: low
• Interdependence: competitive
• Stereotype: not warm and incompetent
• Emotions: disrespect, resentment, hostility
• Behaviour: avoid, exclude, segregate, exterminate
• Experienced by: dominants toward subordinates who are seen as illegitimate dependents (a perceived drain on social resources)

Question 12

Are liberals or conservatives happier, why?

Answer 12

conservatives (or right-wingers) are happier than liberals (or left-wingers). This ideological gap in happiness is not accounted for by demographic differences or by differences in cognitive style. The rationalization of inequality—a core component of conservative ideology - helps to explain why conservatives are, on average, happier than liberals.