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Sigmund freud and his contributions to psychology
Contribution of Sigmund Freud to the field of psychology
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While searching for information regarding social phobia, I stumbled across some interesting information. Information regarding the psychology of politics, I was negligent to such a concept until this point in time, and immediately I began searching for this information, rather than my previous interest. This paper will give a general viewpoint on politics from a psychological standpoint. Initially it will discuss political philosophers, and how their beliefs could have shaped the political system today. Second, the paper will look at personal attitudes in relation to politics, consisting, particularly of one’s values and beliefs. Lastly, the paper is going to provide an outlook on the issue from the psychodynamic approach of psychology, particularly through the opinions of its founder, Sigmund Freud.
In the study of political philosophy many infamous names come about, although we are only going to look at the ideas of seven of them. Some of the earliest ideas of political systems were centered around Greek city-states, approximately between 750-500 B.C. Kagan, Aristotle, and Plato all provided very useful ideas to the understanding of political systems, but here we will see the for the first time how personal beliefs have influenced politics today. While Kagan believed that in order for life to be suitable for man life must be biased on justice, Aristotle believed that life could be good for man only if his life was in a community with others. This is not an attempt to prove or justify any beliefs, but to simply show the relation of personality. These two philosophers felt strongly about these two necessities for success in a community/political system, but yet neither of the ideas were the same. They both required different th...
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...es that when politics are in mind, personal values should be taken out of the picture as much as possible, in order to base political beliefs solely off of the best interest of the nation, and the most respected outlook among citizens.
Works Cited
Bowen, D. (1968). Political behavior of the American public. Columbus, Ohio: Charles E. Merrill publishing company.
Eulau, H. (1969). Behavioralism in political science. New York, N.Y.: Atherton Press.
Eysenck, H. (1974). The psychology of politics. Great Britain: Percy Lund, Humphries & Co. Ltd.
L.N. Rieselbach, G. B. (1969). Psychology & politics. U.S.A.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.
Rieselbach, L. (1969). Psychology & politics. U.S.A.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.
Spranger, E. (1928). Types of men. Halle: M. Niemeyer.
Stone, W. (1974). The psychology of politics. New York, N.Y.: The Free Press.
Both works provide valuable insight into the political atmosphere of American society, but vary greatly in their intended message, usage of persuasive method, projected audience, and choice of tone. One can see resemblance, however, in the fact that the authors of both articles strive to spark a reaction in their readers and encourage change. In that regard, while Hedges’
The first ancient civilization that Kagan highlights is the Greek. He writes of their republic city-states, and pioneering of a “political life come to be shared by a relatively large portion of people”. He uses the Greek culture as an influence of science and reason. “The Greeks exposed everything they perceived—natural, human and divine—to the searching examination of reason.” Finally he describes the Greek quest for virtue and morality. He uses these examples to show how similar our culture is to the Greek.
Fiorina, Morris P., and Samuel J. Abrams. "Political Polarization in the American Public." The Annual Review of Political Science 11 (2008): 563-88. Annual Reviews. Web. 5 Jan. 2014.
New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2004. Romance, Joseph. Political Science 6 class lectures. Drew University, Summer 2004.
Dye, Thomas R. , L. Tucker Gibson Jr., and Clay Robinson. Politics In America. Brief Texas Edition ed. New Jersey: Pearson, 2005.
Cantor, Paul A. "The Simpsons." Political Theory 27.6 (December 1999): 734. MasterFile FullText 1500. Palni SiteSearch. Goshen College Good Library. 19 March 2000.
Ball, Stuart and Ian Holliday. Mass Conservatism: The Conservatives and the Public since the 1880s. London: Frank Cass Publishers. Print.
On the similarities and dissimilarities of the theories of human nature by Aristotle, Machiavelli, and Hobbes, there is a single common denominator that resonates throughout all of their works: in some way, shape, or form, they all attempt to outline and convey to the reader a sense of political understanding derived via a methodical approach to the interpretation of human society. Thomas Hobbes, author of The Leviathan, argues that mankind cannot be readily trusted to uphold the terms of certain covenants, and from this one can derive that Hobbes believes men to be fickle and capricious in their decisions, and that they should generally not be trusted. Hobbes also asserts that there exists a natural law that dictates that man will adhere to the policy of self-preservation above all else. These two arguments form the basis for what Hobbes refers to as the state of nature, in which the “will to contend by battle is sufficiently known” (Hobbes Ch. 13). The renowned Greek philosopher and author of Politics, Aristotle, contradicts Hobbes’s theory of human nature with his assumptions of man and the the polis. Aristotle’s belief that “man is a political animal”
Throughout history there have been a variety of theories on human nature proposed by intellectuals from different time periods. A general idea of human nature is defined as the characteristics, emotions and behavioral traits shared by all humans. During the different time periods of each philosopher, human nature varied due to its involvement in politics. Political theories and morals derive from historical imprints and observations. The precise ways to rule or govern a constitution have been questioned and emphasized through many philosophers and theorists. It is history that indicates what a long-term, obligating government may need to prosper. In order to understand a theory particular to a specific time, one must look at the author’s history and society. For example, Machiavelli, Aristotle and Frederick Douglass each come from different time periods where the structure of society differ. Societies reflect the morals and ideals that are correlated to its generation and highlight the structure and nature of the people. Thus, when looking closely at political theories, one must first observe the author’s society and history. A particular theory may influence many governments and political organizations, whether because of its validity or its rejection, both play a part in structuring a society. Human nature within each society also played a role the desire for justice. For example, during the era of the Jim Crow laws there was a clash between the beliefs of those who opposed discrimination and segregation and those who supported the laws in society. Overall, human nature plays a key role in political theories from a variety of time periods.
Each political theorist agrees that before men came to govern themselves, they all existed in a state of nature. The state of nature is the condition men were in before political government came into existence, and what society would be if there was no government. In relation to this the two theorists raised as much praise as criticism for their famous masterpieces.
Noelle-Neumann, E. (1974), The Spiral of Silence A Theory of Public Opinion. Journal of Communication, 24: 43–51.
Psychology and Historical Interpretation. New York: Oxford UP, 1988. Print.
Numerous political scientists consider cognitive socialization to be the most effective form of political socialization. According to theory, cognitive socialization is doctored up information, which is strategically fragmented in such a manipulative manner, that the probability of its rationalization is highly predictable. The manipulative properties of cognitive socialization are so diabolical and Machiavellian in nature, that I consider it to be the ultimate perversion of the democratic process. In all seriousness, numerous intellectuals, and gentleman held in good stature agree, that cognitive socialization is the product of an evil genius.
Jones, W. T. Masters of Political Thought. Ed. Edward, McChesner, and Sait. Vol. 2. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1947.
An ideal society is in practice a rather difficult aim and even an impossible aim to achieve. Politics implies measures which could and should, in the views of their devisor, be implemented in the hope to create a better society, than that which is already present. The very fact that Plato and Aristotle saw imperfections in the societies in which they lived, prompted them to write their political philosophies. These philosophies provided the first written recognition of politics. In his writings his "The Politics", Aristotle states that "Man is by nature a political animal"(The Politics, 1) in another words, it lies deep within the instinct of man.