Some Questions about the Study of American Character in the Twentieth Century

Abstract

Studies of national character are affected by in tellectual fashions and work requirements and by lay stereo types and assumptions. Although scientific criticisms have been leveled at the ambiguity of the national character con cept, something would be lost if this area of inquiry were abandoned altogether. Work on American character has re mained fragmentary. Some psychoanalytically oriented stud ies assumed that national character was formed in early child hood, but later studies emphasized the effect of class and ethnic differences on child-rearing. Other studies have focused on adjustments of immigrants and travelers to America and ad justments of Americans abroad. Significant differences be tween America and other societies can be observed in expecta tions placed upon the sexes and in ethnic, religious, and social characteristics. Economic factors, the mass media, and edu cation are important in influencing American national charac ter. Resistance to prevailing national styles exists, but the important thing to note is the extent to which resisters re semble purveyors and adopters of these styles. Behavior, pro claimed values, and the voiceless provide only inferential clues. The Lonely Crowd's hypothesis (1950) was that above-sub sistence Americans' goals were changing from the quest for power to the pursuit of resonance with relevant others. To day, other changes might seem salient. National character affects national conduct and vice-versa. Yet political action by an elite minority may shape development conditions for large populations, and hence national character. Given the variety of character types in our society, their interaction, and the strains and pressures on them, possibilities for future de velopment are wide, though not unlimited, and, with present knowledge, we know little of what these limits are.—Ed.