The Social Psychology of the Salem Witch Trials
Amanda Whitsett
Robison
History 1301
November 17, 2010
The Social Psychology of the Salem Witch Trials The events that took place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 have had historians scrutinizing over the causes for years. There have been several theories about how the situation became so out of control. The haunting story is well known in America, taught to our youth and has been the focus of numerous forms of media. We are familiar with the story but unfamiliar with the origin of its beginnings. The role of religion and the presence of mob psychology were the primary catalyst behind the Salem witch trials. There are several other terms that could replace mob psychology such as group think, group control, social psychology. Social psychology is termed as a branch of human psychology dealing with the behavior of groups and the influence of social factors on the individual. (Donohue) “An individual is subjected to a more powerful control when two or more persons manipulate variables having a common effect upon behavior”. (Skinner 323) The psychology behind this simply states that two people are more influential than one and four people more influential than two, etc. In the case of the Salem witch trials, this is extremely evident. Having started with just two young girls from the same household and to grow into a state wide panic at such a fast rate supports this idea. In 1692, Salem was a Puritan village outside of Boston. The puritan teachings and beliefs were deeply revered and a way of life for the followers. The preacher of the church was Reverend Samuel Parris. His sermons were fiery, emphasizing on spiritual warfare between the saved and the dammed. (Norton 18) Before the trials began, Parris preached a series of sermons about the first verse of Psalm 110: “Sit thou at my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.” (Norton 18) His particular style of teaching emphasized on the vast differences between “us” and “them”; “us” being
Robison
History 1301
November 17, 2010
The Social Psychology of the Salem Witch Trials The events that took place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 have had historians scrutinizing over the causes for years. There have been several theories about how the situation became so out of control. The haunting story is well known in America, taught to our youth and has been the focus of numerous forms of media. We are familiar with the story but unfamiliar with the origin of its beginnings. The role of religion and the presence of mob psychology were the primary catalyst behind the Salem witch trials. There are several other terms that could replace mob psychology such as group think, group control, social psychology. Social psychology is termed as a branch of human psychology dealing with the behavior of groups and the influence of social factors on the individual. (Donohue) “An individual is subjected to a more powerful control when two or more persons manipulate variables having a common effect upon behavior”. (Skinner 323) The psychology behind this simply states that two people are more influential than one and four people more influential than two, etc. In the case of the Salem witch trials, this is extremely evident. Having started with just two young girls from the same household and to grow into a state wide panic at such a fast rate supports this idea. In 1692, Salem was a Puritan village outside of Boston. The puritan teachings and beliefs were deeply revered and a way of life for the followers. The preacher of the church was Reverend Samuel Parris. His sermons were fiery, emphasizing on spiritual warfare between the saved and the dammed. (Norton 18) Before the trials began, Parris preached a series of sermons about the first verse of Psalm 110: “Sit thou at my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.” (Norton 18) His particular style of teaching emphasized on the vast differences between “us” and “them”; “us” being
Cited: Cohen, Charles L. God 's Caress: The Psychology of Puritan Religious Experience. New York: Oxford University Press, 1986 Donohue, Cath. [American Heritage Dictionary. Boulder, CO: Artist, 2007. Print. Hill, Frances. A Delusion of Satan: The Full Story of the Salem Witch Trials. New York: Doubleday, 1995 Jeffrey T, and Matthew Tiews. Crowds. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press, 2006. Print LaPlante, Eve HarperOne, 2007. Print Lowance, Mason I Mather, Cotton. Cotton Mather: Historical Writings. New York, N.Y: AMS Press, 1991. Print Murdock, Kenneth Ballard Harvard UP, 1926. Print. Norton, Mary Beth. In the Devil 's Snare: the Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692. New York: Vintage, 2003 Skinner, B. F. Science and Human Behavior. New York: Macmillan, 1953. Print. Silverman, Kenneth. The Life and times of Cotton Mather. New York: Harper & Row, 1984. Opinions on Witchcraft and Kindred Subjects. Williamstown, Mass: Corner House, 1971.