Psychology matters in politics

The article analyzes Russian and foreign psychological concepts that are used in political research. The behavior of an individual is presented as a function of personality traits and external circumstances. Psychological factors influence the formation of attitudes, the assessment of phenomena and political decision-making. The author analyzes various approaches to behavior motivation. Irrational factors and stereotypes play a significant role in the decision-making process. Social psychology and political psychology describe different models of group behavior. Social institutions and state policy form external circumstances. The symbolic and historical policy of the state is based on the achievements of psychological science. Organizations of the third sector can act as a competitor of the state in the implementation of symbolic and historical policies.