Political Psychology Perspectives on Populism

This book explores the different forms of populism in European countries. Starting from a theoretical point of view, the authors outline the various psycho-social precursors of populisms that have emerged from empirical investigations. Using both mainstream and critical perspectives, the book shows how the field has stimulated multiple research programs and methodologies. The opinions, attitudes, and representations of lay persons and some populist leaders are analysed through questionnaires and analysis of political communication via social media. The volume is aimed at researchers, students, and readers with good expertise on the subject. It collects contributions from scholars in the psychological-social field, proposing an innovative reading on the social-cognitive, motivational, and emotional processes that can lead to adhering to populism.

Gilda Sensales is Associate Professor in Social and Political psychology at the Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. Her main research interests are the representations of populism, political communication between mainstream and new media, gender and sexism in politics, critical history of social psychology.