The Biology of Political Behavior

1. Auflage 2007
ISBN: 978-1-4129-6404-3
Verlag: Sage Publications, Inc

Buch, Englisch, Band 614, 228 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 357 g

Reihe: The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science Series

Does testable, replicable empirical evidence exist to support the notion that biology can help explain political behavior? The past practice of political science has been to ignore the growing biological knowledge base. Perhaps because mass-scale politics seem so cerebral and rational, scholars of politics are prone to conclude that it somehow transcends biology. Not true.

This fascinating issue of The ANNALS draws on the recent advancements in biological insights and applies them to political science. Pulling from a range of topics – including the role of personality traits in political decisions; personal temperament and social behavior; and how neuroendocrine mechanisms (stress-coping strategies) and social dominance influence leadership potential – this issue calls for the cooperation between political scientists and life scientists.

Other social sciences merge biological research with their studies. In psychology, research has connected personal traits (such as risk-taking, depression, extroversion) to neurotransmitter levels and genetics. Evolutionary psychology has demonstrated that universal human tendencies are products of evolutionary pressures. In economics, behavioral economics and neuroeconimcs draw heavily from biological concepts. And in sociology, long-established research tradition has attempted to connect neurotransmitters and hormones to social behavior.

Now is the time for political science to embrace natural science. Biology is a stronger force than ever, interacting with human culture in complex ways. By leveraging that knowledge, political science is positioned to make giant strides forward in new avenues of research.

Most of the compelling articles included in the collection rely on original and empirical findings. Students and researchers will find this special issue a unique and inspiring perspective on applying the remarkable techniques developed in neuroscience, experimental economics, computer simulations, psychophysiology, behavioral genetics, and molecular biology to future political science research projects.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Smith, Kevin B.

Hibbing, John

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction - John R. Hibbing and Kevin B. Smith
Testosterone and Aggression in a Simulated Crisis Game - Rose McDermott, Dominic Johnson, Jonathan Cowden, and Stephen Rosen
Genetic Configurations of Political Phenomena: New Theories, New Methods - Ira H. Carmen
Balancing Ambition and Gender among Decision Makers - Christopher W. Larimer, Rebecca J. Hannagan, and Kevin B. Smith
An Evolutionary Model of Racial Attitude Formation: Socially Shared and Idiosyncratic Racial Attitudes - Thomas Craemer
Neuroendocrine Mechanisms, Stress Coping Strategies, and Social Dominance: Comparative Lessons about Leadership Potential - William D. Anderson and Cliff H. Summers
The Moderating Effects of Personal Security on Responses to Threat - The Moderating Effects of Personal Security on Responses to Threat
A Dual Edged Sword: Empathy and Collective Action in the Prisoner’s Dilemma - John A. Sautter, Levente Littvay, and Brennen Bearnes
Personality and Emotional Response: Strategic and Tactical Responses to Changing Political Circumstances - Jennifer Wolak and George E. Marcus
Personal Temperament and Social Behavior - John R. Alford and John R. Hibbing

Über Autor(innen)

Smith, Kevin B.
Kevin B. Smith is the Leland J. and Dorothy H. Olson Chair of Political Science at the

University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He is the author or coauthor of 10 books on politics and policy,

as well as numerous scholarly articles on state politics and policy. Prior to becoming an academic,

he covered state and local politics as a newspaper reporter. You can follow him on Twitter at @

nivek_htims.

Hibbing, John
John R. Hibbing is professor of political science at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. His books include Stealth Democracy: How Americans Want Government to Work, cowritten with Elizabeth Theiss-Morse (2002).