The Psychological Citizen and the Two Concepts of Social Contract: A Preliminary Analysis

Abstract

A shift in focus from the logical to the psychological social contract allows us to better explore the socialization of the psychological citizen, and the relationship between identity of individuals and the socio-political order, with its particular group-based inequalities. Traditional psychological studies have provided valuable insights into certain aspects of identity, but the new narrative research is leading to novel insights into longer term processes associated with the positioning of identity. The new approach recognizes the dual nature of mental processes and the integral role of context in individual development.Illustrative examples are discussed of the role of cultural carriers in the formation of identity, highlighting the infusion of the macrolevel normative system to thought and action at the microlevel of individuals.My first goal in this discussion is to explore some key features of the psychological citizen, the cognitive and behavioral characteristics people need in order to function effectively as part of, and to sustain, a sociopolitical order. I shall particularly focus on how psychological citizens come to incorporate aspects of the normative system, such as values and ideology (Feldman, 2003;Schwartz, 2007), autonomy (Dennis, Talih, Cole, Zahn-Waxler, & Mizuta, 2007), and trust and distrust (Warren, 1999), reflecting the wider sociopolitical order, within their identities. In tackling this first goal, I will necessarily take up a second: that of clarifying the difference between two concepts of the social contract, the idea that a central authority, government, or a state owes its origins to a mutual agreement between individuals.The first of these concepts is the familiar treatment of social contract theory as a branch of political philosophy. A great deal has already been said about this logical view of the social contract theory, which brings out the logical necessary

Mobile skilled workers: Making the most of an untapped rural community resource

“…The figure illustrates that the formation of a primary social contract is central to the lifecycle and to the integration process. The primary social contract represents the mobile skilled worker's obligation to the community in return for acceptance into that community (Moghaddam, 2008). The actions of individuals, groups and organisations within the community are important in the formation of a primary social contract, and can affect the integration process positively or negatively.…”

“…Drawing on the literature of the immigrant experience, integration is conceived in terms of a reciprocal process (Berry, 1997;Cvetkovic, 2009) or social contract (Moghaddam, 2008). Social contract theory proposes that personal identity is shaped through social contracts, and that individuals willingly make an obligation to society in return for acceptance into that society (Moghaddam, 2008).…”

Narrative as a Root Metaphor for Political Psychology

“…In a similar vein, Moghaddam (2008) argues that narrative research reveals the dynamic interplay between individuals and social context as they negotiate various positions and the politics of identity. A narrative approach provides access to the way in which “psychological” citizenship is constructed; that is, narratives reveal the process by which cognitive and behavioral characteristics needed for social and political participation become appropriated and rendered “normative” (Moghaddam, 2008; cf. Bar‐Tal, 2007).…”

Constructing nation: national narratives of history teachers in Ukraine

“…They appropriate and render specific characteristics, values, and beliefs of the national community to create meanings of a complex social and political reality (Hammack & Pilecki, 2012;Moghaddam, 2008). They re-evaluate and develop different meanings of national identity and posit other groups within the nation as allies or enemies.…”