Suchergebnisse

A review essay on a book C. Wright Mills, White Collar: The American Middle Classes (New York, NY: Oxford U Press, 1951 [see listing in IRPS No. 77]). Presented is a previously unpublished 1954 essay on the words of German & US precursors (ie, Robert E. Park, Thorstein Veblen, Max Weber) who laid the foundation for C. Wright Mills's sociological vision. A unique vision is offered of historical sociology of sociological knowledge in Europe & US, & insightful comments are offered on the import of Mills's book, which is judged to be among the most important works published by an American since WWII. W. Howard

The administrative leadership of communities confronted by crisis, particularly war & cold war, is examined. Crisis management by representative government requires introduction of remedial change through integration of two levels of power resources: (1) the power invested in large-scale functional organizations designed to meet special needs, eg, military defense of economic production; & (2) the power stemming from cohesive & solidifying forces within the community, eg, professional organizations & churches. This process relies on communication resources, which must convey the nonarbitrariness of policy adjustments & find the optimum balance between official secrecy, propaganda, & openness. The uses of racial & ethnic diversity & economic divisions in managing crises are discussed. D. Generoli

This 1936 essay, critiquing many aspects of psychology of the early 1900s, is presented in an English translation. Anticipating topics in the sociology of medicine, Gerth refuted neo-Lombrosianism & experimental & behavioristic psychology, reviewed the limited therapeutic potential of Freudian psychotherapy, as well as other psychology-based therapies, & suggested that the behaviorist principle denying self-understanding is invalid. Further, behaviorists who are biased toward objectivity, & observation of the other, & who emulate the natural sciences are misguided. Gestalt psychology was proposed as an alternative. The characterology of Ernst Kretschmer is discussed, in which three bodily types are associated with general character profiles, which was used to trace biological development over time. Friedrich Nietzsche's depth psychology, including his ideas on dreams, is explored. The influences of Nietzsche's construction of the psyche on Freud's developing psychoanalytic theory are traced, showing how psychoanalysis evolved in response to hysteria, then neuroses, & finally psychoses. It is Gerth's contention that Freud failed by reducing all conflict to the libidinal level, devoid of sociohistoric reality. Although animal psychology's achievements are applauded, the proliferation of specialty, "dash" psychologies are questioned. 29 References. J. Sadler