PSYC 101. Research Practicum in Political Psychology

In this course, students will conduct empirical research projects individually or in small groups in collaboration with the instructor. This includes designing and implementing a study, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting and presenting the findings. Although project topics are somewhat flexible, they will generally focus on topics related to political ideology, attitudes, and behavior. What are the core psychological dimensions of left-wing and right-wing ideology? What psychological factors underlie why people are more politically liberal or conservative? Do liberals and conservatives construe “the self” differently, and if so, why? What underlies libertarianism? What increases the appeal of novelty and change? What are the antecedents of and remedies for political intolerance and censorship? In addition to the class meeting time, additional time is scheduled as needed to conduct research projects. When taken in the senior year, this course fulfills the comprehensive requirement in psychology.
This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
Prerequisite: PSYC 001 or the equivalent, PSYC 025, and either PSYC 040 (concurrently) or PSYC 035
Social sciences.
1 credit.
Catalog chapter: Psychology
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology

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