The Group Mind: A Sketch of the Principles of Collective Psychology

audiobook

The Group Mind: A Sketch of the Principles of Collective Psychology

by William McDougall

EN·~13 hours

Chapters

Description

In this thoughtful exploration, the author delves into how minds merge when people gather, revealing the hidden mechanisms that bind individuals into a single psychological entity. Drawing on decades of lecture material, he outlines the basic instincts, shared memories, and present‑day consensual drives that give rise to collective thought. The opening sections illustrate how these forces shape everything from small communities to entire nations, offering a fresh lens on familiar social patterns.

The work positions itself as a carefully prepared sequel to an earlier treatise on social psychology, insisting on a solid scientific footing rather than speculative philosophy. While acknowledging the upheavals of the Great War, the author argues that the core principles of group psychology remain surprisingly stable. Listeners will find a blend of rigorous analysis and accessible examples that invite them to reconsider the unseen currents shaping public life.

Details

Full title

The Group Mind: A Sketch of the Principles of Collective Psychology With Some Attempt to Apply Them to the Interpretation of National Life and Character

Language

en

Duration

~13 hours (788K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by David Garcia, Turgut Dincer, R. Cedron and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

Release date

2012-09-22

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

William McDougall

William McDougall

1871–1938

An early psychologist who helped popularize the study of instinct and social behavior, he taught at Oxford, Harvard, and Duke and wrote books that shaped debate in the early 1900s. His work ranged from mainstream psychology to controversial interests such as psychical research, which kept his name in discussion long after his lifetime.

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