The Psychology of Social Movements by Hadley Cantril

The Psychology of Social Movements by Hadley Cantril

Second Printing, 1966 — Science Editions (John Wiley & Sons, New York)

A landmark work in social psychology by Hadley Cantril of Princeton University, The Psychology of Social Movements (first published in 1941) explores how individuals become swept up in collective causes — from reform and revival movements to mass ideological crusades.

Of particular note is Chapter 6: “The Oxford Group.”

In this chapter, Cantril presents one of the earliest psychological analyses of the Oxford Group, later known as Moral Re-Armament (MRA) — the evangelical fellowship whose emphasis on personal moral awakening directly influenced the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous and other 20th-century movements of spiritual and social renewal. Cantril situates the Oxford Group within the broader context of religious mass movements, examining how such efforts attract followers, sustain collective enthusiasm, and evolve over time.

Drawing on psychological theory and case studies, Cantril develops a framework for understanding how personal insecurity, cultural stress, and moral aspiration converge to produce transformative — and sometimes destructive — movements.

Edition details: Science Editions, 1963; this copy, Second Printing, March 1966. Originally published in 1941 by Chapman & Hall, Ltd. Hardcover with striking cover design by Ward & Saks (Wide World photo). Former John Carroll University Library copy (stamped). 301 pp., clean text with mild toning and library marks. 

Condition: Good. Solid binding, mild edge wear and rubbing to covers, light toning to pages, and typical library markings. Interior text clean and unmarked.