E-Book Overview
The Psychology of Brexit examines the psychological causes, catalysts, and consequences of Brexit. Unlike most cultural upheavals, Brexit is not the result of accidental tragedy or spontaneous economic turmoil. Rather, it exists because people decided to make it exist. It is a product of human psychology – shaped in critical ways by people’s perceptions, preferences, choices, self-images, attitudes, ideas, assumptions, group relations, and reasoned (or ill-reasoned) conclusions. This book discusses how reasoning biases and illusions of control propel – and pollute – the perspective of both Leavers and Remainers. It shows how social stereotypes and motivated irrationality help otherwise groundless beliefs thrive in everyday culture, leading to group polarisation and echo-chamber reasoning. It reveals the way cultural biases like sexism influence how Brexit politicians are portrayed and perceived. And it explores the psychological impact of Brexit – its effect on social attitudes, future thinking, and collective and individual mental health. In this compelling new book, psychologist Brian Hughes examines what scientific psychology reveals about the dynamics of Brexit, what Brexit teaches us about ourselves, and what we can do to deal with its short-term impact and long-term fallout.
E-Book Content
Brian M. Hughes THE PSYCHOLOGY From Psychodrama to Behavioural Science OF BREXIT The Psychology of Brexit “As a psychologist and former president of the UK’s professional body for psychology, I have seen Brexit concerns in both the UK and Europe at first hand. But depth of psychological analysis has up to now been in short supply. Brian Hughes fills this gap with a penetrating analysis of the impact on citizens and communities, written with energy and style. One that I think will earn an enduring place on the Brexit bookshelf.” —Nicola Gale, Department of Psychology, City, University of London and Former President of the British Psychological Society “This book is an articulate and insightful enquiry into the psychology of Brexit. Brian Hughes draws upon theories from cognitive psychology, social psychology and individual differences to explain what compelled a majority of British people who turned out at the ballot box to vote to leave the European Union, and the psychological consequences of this collective decision. Hughes’s accessible and absorbing style makes this a must-read for anyone interested in human behaviour and decision-making.” —Michael Smith, Associate Professor of Psychology, Northumbria University, UK “This book is a must-read for politicians, academics, and teachers, as well as the layperson. In this excellent and clearly written volume, Hughes has illustrated the integral connection between political decisions and psychological well-being and as such this book is in the vanguard of the area. Politicians need to be cognizant that their decisions impact not only the political and economic future of their countries, but also they can seriously impact the mental health of their citizens.” —Esther Greenglass, Professor of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Canada “Political circumstances are inherent companions of human experience, bringing gains and losses, rewards and costs, regardless of whether or not they are directly or indirectly influenced and/or experienced. It’s no surprise then, particularly to social scientists, to discover how much politics affect our psychological beings. Yet the psychological dynamics that govern political processes and outcomes may be less obvious, particularly to politicians. Hughes’s timely, insightful and brave analysis of the psychology of politics of Brexit is a lesson for all.” —Krys Kaniasty, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, USA, and Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Po