Restructuring of Soviet Psychology in the Context of Gorbachev's 'Glasnost'

Abstract

Psychology as a science of behavior throughout its history has been influenced by social and political climate. Many viewed emergence of'a science of behavior' as an opportunity to control and influence human behavior. No wonder that in the present century political leaders and idealogues viewed psychology far beyond its scientific domain. This point has been underscored clearly by Bruner (Bauer, 1952): 'Man's image of the nature of man in not only a matter of objective inquiry; it is and has always been a prime instrument of social and political control' (p. xx).