There exists an intimate relationship between the study of politics and the study of psychology. Initially psychology was applied in classic political theories. Later there has been a recent interest in the psychological basis for political actions. Psychology helps in closer understanding of political behavior, as seen in recent surveys and analyses of political activity, and in recent developments of mental tests from which broad social and political implications have been drawn.
At the basis of Plato’s political theory there was a form of physiological psychology. The political theory was more physiology than psychology, but in any case it shows clearly the effort to set up a political system on a basis of physical-mental analogy.
Psychologists have not thus far assayed the role of political leaders. When they do, it will be time to scrutinize their political and social presuppositions and patterns. We can then psychoanalyze the psychologists from the point of view of the political scientists. We can then ascertain what has been their social education; whether they are temperamentally adapted to the work of political leadership; whether their economic interests incline them toward radical or ‘conservative or middle-of-the-road positions. And with these presuppositions safely stowed away we may go on to consider their political advice, as we do in the case of other political counselors.
Mental testing is not the only part of the psychological field that touches upon politics.
Psychoanalysis and psychiatry have an important bearing upon certain phases of political life and conduct. Physicians have learned much from the study of the abnormal type, and possibly students of politics might profit likewise by similar types of studies. In criminology, it is true that important use has been made of this principle, and it is significant that great progress has been made by reason of the insights thus obtained. Every court and every custodial institution recognizes this fact in the most evident manner. In the other fields of government we have not made equal use of this possibility.
We have, to be sure, some studies of the boss and the grafter, and occasionally a pseudo analysis of the radical or the rebel or the conservative; but these inquiries leave much to be desired in the way of thoroughgoing and scientific analysis. Sharp analysis of subnormal and supernormal types of citizens and officials might yield useful results in the understanding not only of the abnormal but also of the normal type of citizen. What would be of little value would be a shallow and speculative form of political psychiatry. The exception to this would be the sensation-monger, but careful collaboration with the psychiatrists will help us in better understand some of the significant phases of our civil life, and we might include the physician, as well in the combination.
The farthest-seeing psychologists are fully aware that they cannot go where they would like without the fullest study and development of the social and political implications of the human nature they have undertaken to study. Furthermore, psychological technique is still largely in the making and special forms and applications are likely to spring up in several parts of the field as in industry, education and government.
Ray Mason holds a MBA in International business. He currently works as a content creator at en.Oboulo.com . It is an ebay of documents contributed by journalists, Professors, Lawyers, Students and other professionals. Papers are published in over 30 categories like Marketing, Business, History and more.
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