Choice Review

The studies in this book are intended to represent the best of the marriage of modern psychological research and the analysis of public opinion formation and expression. The work is organized in four parts, "Affect and Emotions," "Political Cognition," "Political Attitudes and Perceptions," and "Political Values." Each part is introduced by a short summary essay by Kuklinski, followed by three or four empirical research essays and an expert commentary or two. Although technical, the writing is generally good, and the research seems indeed to be among the best empirical work being done in the area today. Yet it is troubling that such fine work can still only rarely produce findings that are counterintuitive or of obvious practical significance, let alone findings that might astonish in some way. But that is the nature of the beast, as Kuklinski points out. Understanding the psychology of a single person is troublesome enough without putting a quarter of a billion of them together. The preface notes that a companion volume to this one focuses less on actual research and "more on the strengths and weaknesses of political psychology as a research enterprise." This reviewer would find that one very interesting indeed. Recommended for graduate students, professionals, and research libraries. M. Berheide Berea College