The British Psychological Society‘s History of Psychology Centre, in conjunction with UCL’s Centre for the History of the Psychological Disciplines, has announced the next talk in its autumn seminar series. On Monday December 12th Arthur Eaton (left) will be speaking on “History telling: writing a biography of psychohistory.” Full details follow below.
Monday 12 December 2016
Location: SELCS Common Room (G24), Foster Court, Malet Place, University College London
Time: 18:00-19:30
Speaker: Arthur Eaton (UCL)
Seminar title: History telling: A biography pf psychohistory
In June 1976 the American Psychiatric Association published a document entitled The Psychiatrist as Psychohistorian. In that report, a committee investigated the dangers – including the threat to United States national security – of a phenomenon called psychohistory. What is psychohistory? Why is it relatively unknown today? In this presentation, I will explore these questions and argue that psychohistory is best conceived of as an interdiscipline – born out of the marriage between two ‘parent’ disciplines: psychoanalysis and history. I will discuss the ‘rise and fall’ of the psychohistorical movement, highlight the conceptual difficulties of a hybrid discipline, and speak about my own search for psychohistory.
I wanted very much to attend, especially as both a psychologist and an historian I have tried unsuccessfully to explore the impact of psycho-history. Unfortunately I have other commitments.
I wondered if there is any written material arising from the talk, references or other written material? If so, then I would be very grateful if you could let me know. Thank you.
Best Wishes
(Ronwen) Chamarette