Nuclear Minds: Cold War Psychological Science and the Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Before the recognition of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, researchers understood the atomic bomb's effects on the human psyche by surveying survivors of the nuclear attack in Hiroshima in 1945. This study explores how the psychological impact of the bombs was understood before the concept of post-traumatic stress disorder and how the victims' experiences did not necessarily conform to contemporary expectations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 25 July 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

In 1945, a significant milestone occurred when researchers embarked on a mission to Hiroshima with the United States Strategic Bombing Survey. Their objective was to gather firsthand accounts from survivors of the devastating nuclear attack, marking the commencement of a global endeavor by psychiatrists, psychologists, and other social scientists to comprehend the intricate ways in which the nuclear age had impacted human minds. A trans-Pacific research network was established, resulting in the accumulation of extensive data regarding the detonation of the bomb and subsequent nuclear tests conducted in and around the Pacific rim.

To delve into these endeavors and the diverse interpretations they received within different research communities and victim populations, Ran Zwigenberg takes us on a captivating journey. He explores how the psychological impact of the bombs on survivors was initially understood, prior to the emergence of the concept of post-traumatic stress disorder. In fact, psychological and psychiatric research on Hiroshima and Nagasaki seldom referred to trauma or similar categories. Instead, institutional and political constraints, particularly the intricate relationship between the psychological sciences and Cold War science, shaped the researchers' focus. They tended to concentrate on short-term damage and somatic reactions, or even in some cases, on denying the suffering of the victims. Consequently, very few doctors attempted to alleviate the pain experienced by survivors.

However, Zwigenberg argues that it is not only that doctors "failed" to diagnose the victims accurately; the victims' experiences also did not necessarily align with our contemporary expectations. As he demonstrates, the category of trauma should not be applied uncritically in non-Western contexts. Consequently, this book sets out two primary objectives: first, to comprehend the historical, cultural, and scientific constraints within which researchers and victims operated, and second, to explore the complexities surrounding the victims' experiences and the challenges they faced.

By undertaking this comprehensive examination, Zwigenberg sheds light on a critical period in history when the effects of nuclear warfare were just beginning to be understood. His work provides valuable insights into the complexities of the human psyche and the challenges faced by researchers and victims in navigating the aftermath of such catastrophic events. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history, psychology, and social implications of nuclear warfare, as well as the ongoing efforts to address the long-term effects of trauma and promote healing for survivors.

Weight: 584g
Dimension: 159 x 238 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226825915