Module overview
This module explores how psychological processes shape political behaviour in contexts of conflict, crisis, and instability. It examines how emotions, identity, leadership, and perception influence decision-making in high-stakes environments, from international crises to domestic political polarisation.
You will engage with key theories and real-world case studies to understand how fear, threat, and uncertainty affect political actors, public opinion, and policy responses. The module also considers the role of political communication, media, and narratives in escalating or resolving conflict.
By combining theoretical insight with empirical analysis, the module equips you to critically evaluate political behaviour in times of crisis and to understand the psychological dynamics underlying contemporary global challenges.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Critically analyse and interpret political concepts, theories, and evidence.
- Formulate reasoned arguments and communicate them effectively in both oral and written forms
- Design and conduct independent political research projects by applying the relevant political psychology concepts and methodological approaches to your own research, with the aim to produce a research project proposal that tests specific research hypotheses related to research on the political psychology of crises and conflicts.
- Evaluate qualitative and quantitative data and apply findings to real-world contexts.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Work independently and collaboratively, exercising initiative and leadership in group contexts.
- Apply problem-solving, decision-making, and critical reflection to complex issues.
- Communicate effectively to diverse audiences through written, oral, and digital means.
- Manage time, projects, and resources effectively to meet deadlines.
Disciplinary Specific Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate competing theories and approaches in political science and political psychology, including normative, empirical, and behavioural traditions.
- Reflect critically on the evolution of the discipline of political psychology and its relevance to contemporary political, social, and global challenges
- Integrate interdisciplinary insights (e.g. psychology, sociology, economics, communications) into political analysis, demonstrating the breadth and flexibility of the discipline.
- Political Psychology & Electoral Behaviour specialized pathway: Analyse the psychological underpinnings of voter behaviour, leadership, and crisis decision-making.
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Design and implement small- and large-scale research projects using both qualitative and quantitative techniques.
- In class discuss theoretical and empirical insights about a contemporary crisis or conflict and identify available academic literature and data sources that can be used to investigate this case further. Analyse and interpret complex political data sets, survey results, and case study material.
- Apply problem-solving skills to real-world political and governance challenges through simulations, debates, and applied coursework.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Contemporary challenges to democracy, governance, and global political stability.
- Research design principles, data collection methods, and both qualitative and quantitative approaches in political research.
- The ethical and practical issues involved in political research and professional practice.
- Theoretical perspectives and empirical findings in political science, and political psychology. Identify the major debates, theoretical and empirical contributions from studies that lie at the intersection of political psychology, international relations, and conflict studies, and critically evaluate related literatures.
Syllabus
This module aims to provide you with an overview of the central debates in the study of political psychology in order to understand contemporary crises and conflicts; generate an understanding of key theoretical puzzles and empirical techniques employed to answer these puzzles; identify the advantages and constraints of the research methods political psychology scholars use to investigate crises and conflicts; demonstrate the value of political psychology research in understanding, explaining, and predicting the behaviour of citizens, political elites, and policy makers during contemporary crises, global challenges, as well as inter-state and intrastate conflicts; provide expertise in the design and implementation of a political psychology research project dedicated to the understanding of a contemporary crisis or conflict.
Learning and Teaching
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Teaching | 24 |
| Total study time | 24 |
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Portfolio | 35% |
| Research proposal | 65% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Essay | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Essay | 100% |