The Political Psychology of Tensions, Passions and Conflicts: Theoretical Debates and Empirical Investigations

This Section, sponsored by the Political Psychology Standing Group, brings together scholars from political science, psychology, international relations, sociology and political communication from Europe and the world, who share a common passion: the understanding of psychological determinants of political decision making. The Section surveys hot topics in political psychology for the eleventh year running, following the successful tradition of our Political Psychology Sections since 2005. Participants will explore the political psychological origins, processes and consequences of hot topics that require theoretical and empirical engagement: the formation of political preferences, choices and attitudes, the emotional and conflictual politics of our times, issues of identity and nationalism, multiculturalism vs. the politics of exclusion and marginalization, the challenges of extremism and terrorism, the implications of displacement and traumas, and the management of national and international crises. The Section will discuss theoretically driven empirical research papers from senior and junior international scholars which showcase cutting-edge research developments in the field. Our aim is to further discussion and research in political psychology across scientific communities on the above topics. Upon completion of the conference, the authors of selected Papers from the Panels will be considered to contribute to the second volume of Advances in Global Political Psychology (first volume now published under the title Palgrave Handbook of Global Political Psychology).