8. North America Some Observations On Witchcraft: the Case of the Aivilik Eskimos by Arthur E. Hippler. Mimeograph. 14 pp

This section consists of two papers, both by A. E. HIPPLER, dealing with Eskimos, and two papers, one by G. LITTMAN and the other by C. WOLMAN, dealing with American Indians. In his first paper Hippler traces, within the framework of psychoanalytic theory, changes in psychodynamic functioning which...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transcultural Psychiatric Research Review
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publications 1971
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/136346157100800226
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/136346157100800226
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Summary:This section consists of two papers, both by A. E. HIPPLER, dealing with Eskimos, and two papers, one by G. LITTMAN and the other by C. WOLMAN, dealing with American Indians. In his first paper Hippler traces, within the framework of psychoanalytic theory, changes in psychodynamic functioning which accompanied culture change among the Aivilik Eskimos. The shift from belief in violation of taboos as the cause of misfortune to intrapunitive guilt over wrongdoing and projection of guilt onto witches is discussed. Hippler's second paper is devoted to a study and analysis of Eskimo shamanism. The personality of the shaman and his functions are viewed in the light of psycho analytic theory. Littman gives a comprehensive overview of alcoholism and other social pathology afflicting American Indians in transition. Reasons for their high rate of alcoholism are discussed. Wolman carried out group therapy for a year among mainly Navajo-speaking alcoholics. She evaluates the dis advantages and advantages of employing a bilingual interpreter.