We have currently embarked on some exciting political times. You can’t escape it – it’s everywhere you look. With so much discussion on the future political developments, goals for the new president and the team that will support him, can we really talk about anything else? If you have become interested in politics but don’t really know how to bank on that interest, consider a degree in political psychology. Is there really such a degree, you may ask. Yes, actually there is!
Political psychology degree programs prepare you for the application of contemporary psychological theories, concepts, and methods to the study of political behavior. This field is based on the study of both psychology and political science. If you like both areas of study, you don’t have to pick and chose. A degree in political psychology combines these two fields perfectly.
Political Psychology Degree Programs
The majority of degree programs in this area focus heavily on traditional areas in social psychology such as the field of attitudes, emotions, affect and group interaction. They also incorporate the areas of memory, cognition and decision making. In this type of program you will focus on the structure of political beliefs and attitudes, the processing of information, factors that influence political decisions and judgments. To accomplish this task you will learn to utilize empirical research, experimenting as well as survey research.
Curriculum in these types of programs focuses on political psychology as well as American government and economy. Additionally, most programs focus heavily on statistics and methodology. Course included in most programs include foundations of political psychology, experimental methods and design, ideology, socialization, mass communication and political persuasion, group influence, cognition, elite decision making, and behavioral decision theory.
Most Common Careers
A degree in political psychology prepares you to work in areas focusing in analyzing voters, lawmakers, local and national governments, parties and associations. Themes addressed include dynamics of public opinion, impact of media on attitudes, organization of beliefs, information processing, socialization, leadership, and international negotiation.
Degree programs in this area develop you people skills, critical thinking and problem solving abilities. They focus on statistic and research and combine a number of different fields, from political science and psychology to international affairs, sociology and anthropology. As a result, career options for these type of psychologists are vast and numerous. You could work as a faculty member in universities within the psychology, political science, business, and finance or sociology departments. You could also work on private research organizations or government agencies. If you like having many options and like being challenged by new issues and topic, consider a degree in political psychology. It just may be the perfect calling for you.
