: For Isaac Asimov's use of the term in science fiction, see psychohistory (fictional).

Psychohistory is the study of the psychological motivations of historical events. It combines the insights of psychotherapy with the research methodology of the social sciences to understand the emotional origin of the social and political behavior of groups and nations, past and present. This field of study is considered by some to have significant differences from the mainstream fields of history and psychology.

• psychohistory - Description
  • Picture of Rembrandt's painting of the sacrifice of Isaac, from the Old Testament.
• psychohistory - Areas of Psychohistorical Study
  • There are three inter-related areas of psychohistorical study.
• psychohistory - Emergence as a Discipline
  • Sigmund Freud's well known work, Civilization and Its Discontents (1929), included an analysis of history based on his theory of psychoanalysis.
• psychohistory - Independence as a Discipline
  • (Picture) The remains of a sacrificed boy to Huitzilopochtli in the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan (photo by Héctor Monta).
• psychohistory - Psychogenic mode
  • A "psychogenic mode" in Psychohistory is a type of mentality (or psychoclass ) that results from, and is associated with, a particular childrearing style.
• psychohistory - A psychoclass for postmodern times
  • In The Emotional Life of Nations deMause wrote: "My conclusion from a lifetime of study of the history of childhood is that society is founded upon the abuse of children". According to the psychogenic theory, since Neanderthal man most tribes and families practiced infanticide, child mutilation, incest and beating of their children throughout prehistory and history. Presently the Western socializing mode of childrearing is considered much less abusive in the field, though this mode is not yet entirely free of abuse.
• psychohistory - Organizations and Centers of Study
  • The principal centre for psychohistorical study is The Institute for Psychohistory which has 19 branches around the globe and has for over 30 years published the Journal of Psychohistory .
• psychohistory - Notable psychohistorians
  • • David Beisel, Professor of History, SUNY Rockland.
• psychohistory - See also
  • • Alice Miller
• psychohistory - Compare with
  • • Psychogeography - "The study of specific effects of the geographical environment, consciously organized or not, on the emotions and behavior of individuals."
• psychohistory - Notes
• psychohistory - References
  • • deMause, Lloyd, Foundations of Psychohistory , Creative Roots Pub, ISBN 0-940508-01-X (1982) (available online at no cost)
• psychohistory - External links
  • • Child abuse and mistreatment - Alice Miller official website
• psychohistory - References
  • • deMause, Lloyd, Foundations of Psychohistory , Creative Roots Pub, ISBN 0-940508-01-X (1982) (available online at no cost)
• psychohistory - Related topics