The Psychology of Political Communication

This book explores the concepts and methods of microanalysis, and applies these techniques to the latest psychological research on how politicians communicate, and the implications of these findings for the democratic process and society as a whole.

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Contemporary politics is mediated politics, and politicians must be constantly communicating. What matters is not just what is said but how it is said: demeanour, tone of voice, facial expression and body movement may all affect voters’ perceptions of their political representatives.

This book introduces the concepts and methods of microanalysis, and applies these techniques to the behaviour of politicians, presenting the latest psychological research on how politicians communicate, and the implications of these findings for the democratic process and our society as a whole. The book will be of interest to advanced undergraduate students of social psychology, political psychology, communication studies, politics, media and sociology.