Mid-century psychologists traced every Black trait to oppressive living conditions

Evidence

The Negro, in contrast to the White, is an unhappy person; he has a harder environment to live in, and internal stress is greater. By “unhappy” we mean he enjoys less, he suffers more. There is not one personality trait of the Negro the source of which cannot be traced to his difficult living conditions. There are no exceptions to this rule. The final result is a wretched internal life. (p. 81, emphasis added) Allport, in contrast, considered a variety of possible responses under the more general proposition that “ego-defenses” must be developed to cope with the daily assaults on well-being, dignity, and human value. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1042 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Mid-century psychology claimed oppression wholly determined and wrecked Black personality; Mid-century psychiatry held that oppression shaped every trait of Black personality; Kardiner and Ovesy held that every Black personality trait traces to hardship — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1042

Broader Connections

• Mid-century psychiatry held that oppression shaped every trait of Black personality #corroborates (0.97)
• Kardiner and Ovesy held that every Black personality trait traces to hardship #corroborates (0.95) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1042