Siobahn Hotaling is a user experience developer from New York City who has interests in music, poetry, and psychology. One of the specific areas of interest of Siobahn Hotaling is political psychology, which is quickly becoming an important field of study.
The basic goal of political psychology is to learn why people vote the way they do. Political psychologists are interested in learning what motivates people to vote for certain parties and understanding their political identities. It is also a key component for practical changes in the political system such as ballot design, poll design, and trying to create a healthier democratic process.
There are a number of factors that influence political psychology, but experts agree that the biggest influence is the media. Modern politics have been a source of much hostility in the last decade, and the psychology behind it points toward mainstream media stoking the hostility and division among Americans. The media helps perpetuate stereotypes and push people into preconceived notions about others, especially those representing other political parties.
