Are Arthur Broadbeck’s views on explaining history in terms of psychology correct and scientific?
The American psychologist Arthur Brodbeck says that ” we are accustomed to explaining history in terms of crises of a physical nature, as well as in terms of waves of economic problems and physical disease, but we have not yet learned to interpret history in terms of psychological maladies that rise and fall over the course of time”
Culture and social character, page 44)
RWPossum said,
Wrote on August 28, 2010 @ 1:42 am
This is the first I’ve ever heard of the expression “psychological maladies” used this way. We often talk of the “national mood,” but I don’t know what this means.
DR.Rosen said,
Wrote on August 28, 2010 @ 1:58 am
Essentially, yes I would agree that history is not explained in terms of psychology, although, it is implicit in the sense economic problems, physical disease and crises of a physical nature implicitly include psychological problems, emerging as a consequence
I do believe that psychology should be included also, explicitly, because it’s a causal factor of importance. I think it has not been because it has not been incorporated as much a part of the culture in this regards. This of course needs to change
Optimus Prime said,
Wrote on August 28, 2010 @ 2:25 am
Yes, he is right about that one. However, during a time of crisis, people are more inclined to remember events that unfold because their neurotransmitters are firing harder and their memories become more astute.