Psychological effects of air-raids

Bibliographic Data

ID3936080
AuthorsPhilip E Vernon (corresponding author)
Year1941
Volume36
Issue4
Pages457-476
Publication date1941-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Abnormal & Social Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0096-851X
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/h0059562
OpenAlexW1986561588
LanguageEN
Citations received8

Data collected from 50 observers confirm newspaper accounts of the imperturbability of the majority of the population. Acclimatization even to heavy raids at night has been remarkable. A considerable proportion manage to sleep through the terrific racket. There is no doubt that being with others helps the majority of people, and that those who live alone tend to find raids much more trying. Introspective accounts of what it feels like when bombs fall close are difficult to obtain and often contradictory. There have been fewer cases of neurosis than were expected. There have been no new or unexpected types of air-raid neurosis. Among people showing neurotic trends before raids began, roughly one-half have shown no change, a quarter have become worse, and a quarter have actually improved. In general, the psychological disorders attributable to raids seem to be considerably less serious than the social disorganization consequent on the destruction of so many homes and personal belongings, the disruption of communications, and the difficulties of feeding, evacuation, etc. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

Applied Psychology · Clinical Psychology · Human-Automation Interaction and Safety · Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research · Psychology · Social Psychology

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