Political Psychology

Studies relating psychological variables to political phenomena have a long past. However, only recently has political psychology been institutionalized as an interdisciplinary area of study. In the first part of this article a review of the research and events that contributed to the discipline is presented. This review shows the distinct senses in which this area of knowledge is understood. While from certain positions an individual approach to political phenomena is defended, from other positions there is a compromise with a more collective dimension, more committed to social change. But besides these differences, political psychology is especially relevant to understanding and comprehending several political dynamics. The revision in different areas of this discipline, from authoritarianism, political participation, and social movements to political violence shows clearly the important repertoire of theoretical formulations and concepts available to explain these topics, and to design, where necessary, intervention strategies that will allow for a solution to some of the problems in the area.