Social Psychology of Leadership and Crowds

This timely volume brings together research on leadership and social movements, exploring the psychological and social processes at the intersection of crowd psychology and leadership studies.

Featuring perspectives from around the globe, the book examines collective action, social movements and change, identity construction, repression, and power. It includes case studies of leadership and crowd behaviour from various countries, including political rallies in Turkey, the Capitol Assault in the US, Indigenous movements in Australia, identity construction of Tibetans in exile, resistance in Iran, community leadership in Ghana, and riots in Greece. The chapters examine the mutual influence between leaders and crowds in the pursuit of social change or stability. The book takes a unique angle to dissect how leadership–followership dynamics evolve during pivotal crowd events and social movements worldwide.

The book is a novel exploration that illustrates how leaders shape the course of history and how crowds, in turn, redefine the landscape of power. It will be highly relevant for academics and students in the fields of social and political psychology, as well as political science, sociology, and communication studies. The book will also be of interest to policymakers and activists and anyone interested in understanding the interplay between leadership and crowds.

Mete Sefa Uysal is a lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Exeter, UK. He was awarded the British Academy Newton International Fellowship in 2022 and the American Psychological Association's Peace Psychology Early Career Award in 2023. His research focuses on collective action, leadership, violence, social identity, climate activism, and intergroup relations.

Sara Vestergren is a lecturer in the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences at the University of Reading, UK. Her research interests and expertise include crowds, collective action, social identity, and climate action. Sara’s research has a particular focus on outcomes of participation in crowds and collective action.

Yasemin Gülsüm Acar is a lecturer in the School of Psychology & Neuroscience at the University of St Andrews, UK. Yasemin’s research interests include outcomes of collective action, crowds, political solidarity, social identity, and intergroup conflict.