S u m m a r y

 

Ihanus J (2007)

Perspectives of psychohistory

 

Psykologia 42: 181&endash;195. Vammala ISSN 0355-1067.

The article examines the perspectives of psychohistory from its early Freudian beginnings until the present day. It presents the theoretical backgrounds of psychohistory that are mainly connected to different versions of psychoanalysis and to eclectic theories. In addition to the different definitions of psychohistory, three central areas of psychohistory are studied: psychobiography, the psychohistory of large groups and the history of childhood (and the family). Lloyd deMause'spsychohistory, in particular, has further tried to envelop the global psychohistory of nations, cultures, and even civilizations. The critics have pointed out the theoretical and methodological distortions of psychohistory, whereas its defenders have emphasized the special quality and special contribution of the empathic historical research that uses "disciplined subjectivity" and emotional research transferences. The future of psychohistory may be found in the interdisciplinary projects that fall neither in one-sided psychologism nor in sociologism.

 

Key words:

Psychohistory, history of psychohistory, psychohistorical theories, definitions of psychohistory, psychobiography, psychohistory of large groups, history of childhood, critique of psychohistory, future of psychohistory.

 

Juhani Ihanus, Ph.D. (psych.). Department of Psychology, PO Box 9, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.