How does political psychology help us understand issues of race in American poli

Question

How does political psychology help us understand issues of race in American politics? First, describe how political psychology helps us to define and measure racial attitudes and prejudice, from both the political (public opinion) and psychological approaches. Second, describe the ways in which political psychology can help us to understand the origins of racism. Finally, describe how political psychology helps us to understand the impact of racial prejudice on Americans’ political attitudes (e.g., support for affirmative action, or crime policy).  

Explanation / Answer

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. Also, I haven’t added too many references as the question doesn’t state any specific requirement. I have separated the questions in order to de-clutter. You may paste them together if you require it as a single answer.

(Answer)

Political Psychological theories help us predict and understand voter’s preference, leadership styles, party’s convictions and styles of executing legislature. Furthermore, it helps us pin-point and study psychological causes of mass behaviours and attitudes towards policies. Political psychology helps us rationally evaluate our leaders and vote in accordance with them being fit for office or not.

In terms of research and analysis, it becomes difficult to quantify units that are mostly of a qualitative value. Conviction, cognition, motivations, perceptions etc. need to be converted into empirical values through established theories. This is possible through political psychology. It helps us analyse behaviour in American politics on a scholarly level. This includes the perceptions of race.

Since racism is not an individual problem, it would be essential to look at it as a ‘group-behaviour’. Social conformity is what influences group behaviour. Since no child is born a racist, one can say with absolution that racism is ingrained as an individual grows up in society. In such a case, “Normative Social Influence”, NSI theory can be applied. This is when an individual is influenced by other people to act a certain way in order to fit in. By applying this political psychology theory, we are able to better understand the origins of racism.

Thing like affirmative action by an authority figure or even crime policy isn’t the work of a single person, but a precinct of officials. Then how do public official and politicians have the same attitude towards a particular race? This is because the “bystander effect” takes place. This is when an individual (or an official) notices the behaviour of another bystander (his/her fellow official) and notices their behaviour towards a particular race. When their behaviour is noticed, they make judgements and reckon that it is probably the appropriate behaviour and decide to behave in a similar manner henceforth. This political psychological theory helps us understand how racial prejudices have an effect on Americans’ political attitude.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse H
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.