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THE PSYCHIATRY OF CARGO CULT
Author(s) -
BurtonBradley B. G.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1973.tb115119.x
Subject(s) - cult , phenomenon , anxiety , inclusion (mineral) , psychology , psychiatry , field (mathematics) , criminology , social psychology , epistemology , political science , law , philosophy , mathematics , pure mathematics
Medical and psychological variables have been largely excluded In previous rational theories of explanation of the phenomenon of cargo cult in Melanesia. Data from hospital and field situations reported here demonstrate the need for their inclusion, not only for the purpose of understanding, but also to ensure the investigation and treatment of those sick people who might otherwise be overlooked. An expanded hypothesis based on status anxiety leading to recruitment of mentally disordered and marginal individuals is postulated.