University of California Press Making of Psychological Anthropology

The Making of Psychological Anthropology offers a comprehensive exploration of the evolution, challenges, and future directions of psychological anthropology. Comprised of eighteen chapters, the book reflects the diversity and richness of this subdiscipline, tracing its roots back to the "culture and personality" movement of the 1930s and its transformation into modern psychological anthropology. Each chapter is a reflective and often personal critique, revealing the authors' unique contributions and their engagement with enduring questions about human cognition, perception, motivation, and adaptation. The volume showcases the methodological and theoretical shifts that have shaped the field, emphasizing a balance between rigorous data collection and a nuanced appreciation of human individuality and cultural complexity. The book is divided into two parts: the first focuses on veteran contributors who shaped the field’s foundational ideas, drawing from neo-Freudianism, Gestalt psychology, and social learning theories. These chapters illustrate the enduring influence of early paradigms while highlighting how these pioneers pushed beyond them. The second part features contributions from newer voices tackling emerging areas such as symbolic anthropology and altered states of consciousness, reflecting the field’s diversification. Throughout, the volume underscores the intellectual vitality of psychological anthropology, addressing past critiques, integrating fresh perspectives, and demonstrating its relevance for understanding the interplay of culture, personality, and individual experience. This landmark work is both a reflection on the past and a guide to the dynamic possibilities that lie ahead. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1978.