UCL - Psychology and politics

[PSY1406]

[30h] 5 credits

This course is taught in the 2d semester.

Teacher(s): René Zayan

Language: French

Level: First

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

To demonstrate the contribution of experimental psychology in the social perception of contemporary politicians.
To analyse the verbal and non-verbal communication signals which define political charisma and its influence on the electorate.

Main themes

Analysis of the channels of communication for political messages on television; respective roles of verbal information (spoken messages, written texts) and non-verbal information (vocal and visual, facial and/or gestural signals).
Analysis of the cultural differences in political communication which can lead to national preferences (ethnocentrism).
Explanation of political mass appeal through psychophysiological processes of emotional contagion.

Content and teaching methods

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Lectures with interactive periods
Support : reading folder (summaries of experimental research, political psychology texts).
Assessment : assignment on a topic selected by students requiring individual documentary research.