psychohistory
/ˌsaɪkoʊˈhɪstəri/
noun
- A field of study that uses psychological theories to explain historical events and the behavior of historical figures.
- Some historians criticize psychohistory for relying too much on speculation.
- The book applies psychohistory to the childhood of a famous inventor.
- Psychohistory attempts to understand why certain leaders made irrational decisions during crises.
- In science fiction, a fictional science that predicts the future behavior of large populations using mathematics and psychology.
- Psychohistory in the Foundation series is based on the idea that large groups act predictably.
- The character Hari Seldon developed psychohistory to save civilization from centuries of chaos.
- In Isaac Asimov's novels, psychohistory allows the protagonist to foresee the fall of an empire.