Psychology and Public Opinion

Catalog description

This multidisciplinary seminar will overview social scientific research on the psychological and social processes that underlie political opinion. Students will learn about empirical research in psychology and political science dealing with the origins and consequences of mass political attitudes. Some of the major topics we will cover are psychological and survey research methodology, genetic and environmental influences on political attitudes, political thinking, public opinion and election polling, and aggregate political opinion. The course will focus heavily on empirical studies and their conclusions. It will also include a current events component in which students discuss articles and blog posts that analyze recent public opinion evidence. Same as HBSI 1007.