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A sociological conceptualization of trauma

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  • Mestrovic, Stjepan G.

Abstract

The epistemological difficulties with the model of 'stressful life events' are reviewed and contrasted with the epistemologies of the pioneers of stress research: Cannon, Selye, Durkheim, Freud, Bernard and Dubos. The paper focuses on the question 'What is an event?' as opposed to a fact and on the neo-Humean difficulties of relying upon explanations of events. It is demonstrated that the pioneers of stress research avoided event-explanations and relied instead (sometimes implicitly) on the notion of 'trauma'. A trauma is not just an event. The concept of trauma is linked to the ideas of arrangements and derangements of collective representations in the context of society conceived of as a cybernetic system.

Suggested Citation

  • Mestrovic, Stjepan G., 1985. "A sociological conceptualization of trauma," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 21(8), pages 835-848, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:21:y:1985:i:8:p:835-848
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