Abstract
This article takes as critical point of departure the currently individualized nature of mainstream
social psychology. It is argued that by using the concept of ideology, social psychology may be
transformed into a more societal social psychology and thereby a discipline more relevant to
individual, society and social life. Based on the interplay between language usage and ideology,
moreover, a methodology for assessing ideological changes in society by identifying shifts in
language usage in the public discourse (newspapers) is presented. Research conducted by this
methodology, including comparative studies of how the globalized neoliberalism with its strong
individualism merges with local ideologies in various societies around the world is then reviewed.
Finally, analyses of a society’s ideological reactions upon terrorism, is presented.