RGXXI: Study Group of Psychohistorical Process

Historical Note

The Study Group of Psychohistorical Process, (later Study Group in Psychohistory) operated from 1966-1974. The purpose was to discuss the general relationship between psychoanalysis and history. It was established with the support of a grant from the Academy's Permanent Science Fund in 1966 and was fundeduntil 1969. It was developed out of informal conversations between Robert Lifton and Erik H. Erikson. The first seminar of the Study Group was held in August 1966 in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. The following seminars were also in Wellfleet, August 1967 and August 1968.

In 1970, Bruce Mazlish applied to the Academy's permanent science fund to convene a group comprised of many of the same members, primarily to explore the establishment of a Center for Psychohistory, though they would also continue to explore specific problems in psychohistory. The group met throughout 1971 at meetings held at the House of the Academy.

In 1974, papers from the Wellfleet seminars were collected, edited, and published as Explorations in Psychohistory: The Wellfleet Papers, by Robert Jay Lifton, ed. published by Simon and Schuster, New York, 1974.

Name Variations 

Study Group of Psychohistorical Process, 1966-1971
Study Group on Psychohistory, 1971-1974

Scope and Content

The series is contained within the Academy Archives' Record Group XXI: Academy Projects and Programs. This series contains the administrative files and seminar paper drafts relating to the Study Group of Psychohistorical Process, officially in operation from 1966-1968, and the related Study Group on Psychohistory, officially in operation from 1971-1974. The records were held by the executive office of John Voss with other project files, with significant correspondence from participants Bruce Mazlish, Robert Lifton, and Erik H. Erikson. Records are comprised of administrative files and draft papers. Included among administrative records are general correspondence and seminar planning. The draft papers are comprised of papers presented at August Wellfleet seminars, 1966-1968. 

Significant material includes these draft papers, but also draft grant proposals for a Center of Psychohistory.

See related records RGXXII: Academy Projects and Programs, Committee on Recent Science and Technology.
See related records for RGXXI: Daedalus, "Philosophers and Kings: Studies in Leadership", Vol. 97, no. 3. (Summer) 1968.

Arrangement

Processing for the series utilized MPLP principles, thus minimum preservation steps were taken, and folder titles listed in the finding aid are as they appear on the actual folders. Papers were loose without folders; however original order was roughly maintained with ascribed folder titles given to groups of papers. Some files were created outside the filing system and were incorporated with like materials. 

The series contains two subseries: Subseries 1: Administrative Records; and Subseries 2: Papers. Subseries 1 is arranged chronologically. Subseries 2 is arranged alphabetically

Volume

1 records center carton (1 linear foot)

Preferred Citation

[Item title, date]. Record Group XXI: Academy Projects – Study Group of Psychohistorical Process / Study Group on Psychohistory, 1966-1974. Archives, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Subjects

Erikson, Erik H. (Erik Homburger), 1902-1994
Lifton, Robert Jay, 1926-
Mazlish, Bruce, 1923-2016
Knowledge
Psychohistory
Wellfleet (Mass.)