A History Psychologist

A History Psychologist is a forum for exploring the intersections of psychology and history. Historical and contemporary events are interpreted through the lens of psychological research and theory. Additionally, psychological research and theory are placed in the context of the historical periods in which they were presented. The first, second, and third postings deal with the recent U. S. Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action. Future postings will examine such historical events as slavery, the American Civil War, the holocaust, the rise of labor unions, populism, great and not so great U. S. Presidents, the Civil Rights movement, the rise and fall of organized religion, causes and effects of wars, fads, fads and fashions, gun control, abortion, epidemics, disasters, and right and left wing political movements. How can contemporary psychological research and theory on emotions, belief systems, personality, thinking, social behavior, and other topics explain the past and what is happening now? And how is psychology shaped by history? Do emotions and other aspects of human behavior (e.g., romantic love) persist over time or do we have to situate them in particular times and places? How are historical accounts shaped by human memory? How can psychology help us understand the ways that elites have used human history to manipulate and control the masses? These are a few of the questions that I hope to address in the future in A History Psychologist. Please suggest other topics.

Menu:

  • Justice Narratives and Affirmative Action. Part 3

    In part 1, part 2, and now part 3 I explore how the work of psychologists and other social scientists can help us understand why people might reject affirmative action as did the Supreme Court justices in the recent ruling. A deeper understanding would come from recognizing the role of history as a psychological process…

  • Fairness and Affirmative Action. Part 2

    The Psychology of Fairness This post as well as part 1 and part 3 examine the recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action in the context of social psychological research on fairness and justice. What do psychologists have to say about why so many people see affirmative action as unfair? The most relevant area of…

  • Affirmative Action is Dead! Long Live Affirmative Action! Part 1

    In a decision handed down June 29, 2023, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that affirmative action is a violation of the Fourteenth amendment of the constitution and can no longer be used as a basis for admission (Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. (SFA) v. President and Fellows of Harvard; SFA v. University of North…

  • Psychology and History

    Psychology and History, the focus of A History Psychologist, are the two topics that have always fascinated me. I made the former my occupation, specializing in social and organizational psychology. Yet, my interests in history never diminished. I love the stories that make up the historical record, but serious, and not so serious, historians want…

  • About Me

    My name is Robert Dipboye (pronounced Duh – boy). I know. It’s a strange name. Probably was DuBois at some time in the page and as happened so many times in American history, got twisted over the years. I am an organizational social psychologist who has taught at four universities and dabbled in a bit…

  • Authoritarianism and the American South: A Forthcoming Book

    I am pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of Authoritarianism in the American South: Beliefs That Led to Slavery and Civil War. In keeping with the theme of this blog, I explore the causes of the American Civil War through the lens of social psychological research on authoritarianism. The primary thesis is that an authoritarian…