PB428 Half Unit
Political Psychology: Inequality & Intergroup Relations
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Sandra Obradovic
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Behavioural Science, MSc in Organisational and Social Psychology, MSc in Social and Cultural Psychology, MSc in Social and Public Communication and MSc in Societal and Environmental Psychology. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: All PBS 0.5-unit courses in Winter Term are controlled access and capped. Students enrolled on PBS programmes will be given priority.
Each course is available with permission as an outside option to students outside of PBS where regulations permit, providing there is space. All students must submit a short statement (around 100 words) outlining their motivation for enrolling on the course, which will be considered by the course convenor.
Deadline for application: Please apply as soon as possible after the opening of course selection for all courses.
For queries contact: Pbs.msc@lse.ac.uk
Course content
This course explores the intricate relationship between psychological processes and political phenomena, examining how individual minds and collective behaviours shape—and are shaped by—the political world around us. Drawing on cutting-edge research from social psychology, cognitive science, and political science, we will investigate the psychological foundations underlying some of today's most pressing political challenges.
The course examines core psychological mechanisms underlying political behaviour, spanning from intergroup conflict and social hierarchy to contemporary challenges including polarization, nationalism, populism, and totalitarianism. We will explore how psychological processes shape conflict dynamics, democratic governance, and the ongoing tension between social order and change. Through expert lectures and student-led seminars, the course covers diverse forms of political participation while maintaining a dialogical approach that critically examines how ideas compete and evolve within political discourse, including the psychological dimensions of race and racism in political contexts.
Combining theoretical rigor with contemporary relevance, this course equips students with analytical tools to understand the psychological underpinnings of political behavior. Through expert lectures, student-led seminars, and structured debate, students will develop both deep theoretical knowledge and practical skills in applying political psychology to real-world challenges.
Teaching
10 hours of seminars and 10 hours of lectures in the Winter Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
Formative assessment
500 word essay or report plan outlining the approach to the summative assessment. Formative oral assessment of essay plan.
Indicative reading
Augoustinos, M. & Reynolds, K. (2001). Understanding Prejudice, Racism and Social Conflict. London: Sage.
Bar-Tal, D. (2011). Intergroup conflicts and their resolution: A Social Psychological Perspective. Hove: Psychology Press.
Billig, M. (1995). Banal Nationalism. London: Sage
Guinote, A. E., & Vescio, T. K. (2010). The social psychology of power. Guilford Press.
Howarth, C. & Andreouli, E. (2017) The Social Psychology of Everyday Politics. Oxon and New York: Routledge.
Huddy, L., Sears, D. O., & Levy, J. S. (Eds.). (2013). The Oxford handbook of political psychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Moghaddam, F. (2008). Multiculturalism and intergroup relations: psychological implications for democracy in global context. Washington DC: APA.
Nesbitt-Larking, P. & Kinnvall, K. (2014) Handbook of Global Political Psychology. New York. Palgrave.
Reicher, S. & Hopkins, N. (2001). Self and Nation. London: Sage.
Üskül, A. K., & Oishi, S. (Eds.). (2018). Socio-economic environment and human psychology: Social, ecological, and cultural perspectives. Oxford University Press.
Andrews, M. (2007). Shaping history: Narratives of political change. Cambridge University Press.
Assessment
Essay (100%, 3000 words)
Essay (100%, 3000 words) with oral assessment component.
Key facts
Department: Psychological and Behavioural Science
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 38
Average class size 2024/25: 13
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.