The Psychology of Political Polarization - Paperback

by Jan-Willem Van Prooijen (Editor)

The Psychology of Political Polarization was inspired by the notion that, to understand the momentum of radical political movements, it is important to understand the attitudes of individual citizens who support such movements.

Leading political psychologists have contributed to this important book, in which they share their latest ideas about political polarization - a complex phenomenon that cannot be traced back to a single cause, and that is associated with intolerance, overconfidence, and irrational beliefs. The book explores the basis of political polarization as being how citizens think and feel about people with a different worldview, how they perceive minority groups, and how much they trust leaders and experts on pressing societal issues such as climate change, health, international relations, and poverty. The chapters are organized into two sections that examine what psychological processes and what social factors contribute to polarization among regular citizens. The book also describes practical strategies and interventions to depolarize people.

The book offers a state-of-the-art introduction to the psychology of political polarization which will appeal to the academic market and political professionals.

Author Biography

Jan-Willem van Prooijen is Associate Professor of Psychology at Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, and senior researcher at the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR). His main research interests are political polarization, conspiracy theories, and unethical behavior.