Directions in Soviet Social Psychology

"No, no ... nastroi is closer to ustanovka than to otnoshenie" (E.L., 1983). If we have not learned it before, we are reminded by Soviet scholars that social psychological events must, for meaningful interpretation, be examined in their temporaVsocial context. To the extent that publication of a book on Soviet social psychology can be looked upon as an event, such an examination must be ventured here. The following paragraphs are designed to help readers discern what they may expect from subsequent chapters, and to forewarn of limitations that may lead to some frustration. In addition, this preface has the purpose of identifying the range of persons involved in the planning and realization of the book; had anyone of them been less enthusiastic or cooperative, the product of many efforts would have been both diminished and delayed. Why an Interest in Soviet Social Psychology? There are a number of sound, scholarly answers to this question. One might at this late date legitimately invoke any of them, ranging from one based on political relevance to others cast in more lofty statements concerning intellectuaVacademic pursuit; one can learn a lot about a society from examination of its social psychology.