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[The Freudians: integration into American society during world war II]
Revue Internationale D'Histoire De La Psychanalyse
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Classical psychoanalysis influenced American thought, but emigres were key to its medical acceptance. Broader cultural forces also propelled psychoanalytic ideas into mainstream society.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Cultural Studies
Context:
- The widespread acceptance of psychoanalytic ideas in America is often attributed solely to classical psychoanalysis.
- The arrival of psychoanalytic emigres significantly contributed to the dissemination of these ideas within the medical field, especially psychosomatic medicine.
Purpose:
- To challenge the notion that classical Freudians were the sole drivers of psychoanalysis's acceptance in America.
- To explore the multifaceted influences that contributed to the cultural integration of psychoanalytic thought.
Summary:
- This analysis argues against the singular credit given to classical Freudians for the acceptance of psychoanalytic ideas in the United States.
- It highlights the crucial role of psychoanalytic emigres in spreading these concepts within medicine, particularly psychosomatic medicine.
- Furthermore, it identifies a convergence of external forces in fields like anthropology, sociology, politics, and literature that popularized psychoanalysis across broader American culture.
Impact:
- Demonstrates that the integration of psychoanalysis into American society was a complex process involving both internal psychoanalytic developments and external cultural shifts.
- Provides a more nuanced understanding of the historical trajectory of psychoanalytic thought in the United States.
- Underscores the interconnectedness of intellectual movements and their impact on cultural perceptions and medical practices.