Psychology and History

The links between psychology and history may be considered in two ways. Firstly, the fascinating history of the development of psychology as a distinctive discipline, the study of which is now required by the British Psychological Society and Quality Assurance Agency. Secondly, the role that psychological principles can play in developing our understanding of events both in the recent and distant past. In the 20th century psychology can help us understand the events surrounding the Cuban Missile Crisis (group think) and the emergence of genocide in Nazi Germany (stereotyping; depersonalisation). Other areas of joint interest to psychologists and historians are seen in questions related to the influence of the media as persuasive communicators, the influences of ethnicity and culture on major strategic political decisions and the impact of improved medical standards on public health and health promotion. Psychology and history share a number of methods of investigation including the analysis of text and artifacts and the use of questionnaires to elicit the views of the general public. Both disciplines require and develop critical and analytical thinking together with the ability to formulate arguments and present a persuasive case.