Meeting the media as a political psychologist

Abstract

For several decades, the author has conducted research on political communication, within the framework of what is known as ‘microanalysis’ (the detailed analysis of both speech and nonverbal behaviour). This research has been based on verbatim transcripts derived from videorecordings, with a focus on the following issues: (1) political speeches – how do politicians invite responses (especially applause) from their audiences? (2) broadcast political interviews – how and why do politicians fail to answer interviewer questions? (3) Prime Minister’s Questions – what are the distinctive features of the so-called ‘gladiatorial’ interactions between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition? Unsurprisingly, given the focus of this research on well-known public figures, many of these studies have received widespread media coverage on television, radio and press.