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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/11375/7525
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dc.contributor.advisorKnight, Grahamen_US
dc.contributor.authorDouglas, Anne Helenen_US
dc.date.accessioned2014-06-18T16:39:38Z-
dc.date.available2014-06-18T16:39:38Z-
dc.date.created2010-07-23en_US
dc.date.issued1979-09en_US
dc.identifier.otheropendissertations/2798en_US
dc.identifier.other3778en_US
dc.identifier.other1407111en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11375/7525-
dc.description.abstract<p>The thesis analyzes current, popular "inspirational" self-help literature as it is situated in a socio-historical context. The findings suggest a contemporary value orientation toward "selfism," a view that individuals should strive, towards total independence of others. A commitment to self, an individual morality, a concern with present day living, self-sufficiency and self-love are some of the values expressed in the current literature. Compared with previous inspirational literature, this suggests an almost radical shift in values and ideology. The trends of the previous literature are reviewed in a socio-historical perspective. It is argued that inspirational literature is a product of the middle class and that the values articulated are symptomatic of broader changes occurring in the culture and social structure. The current value shift reflects a crisis in middle class ideology. This class is currently perceiving a loss of its traditional sense of order and place in the world and is searching for a new ideology that will still contain the central elements of individualism and free will that have been the fundamental ethos of the American consciousness.</p>en_US
dc.subjectSociologyen_US
dc.subjectSociologyen_US
dc.titleThe Society of Self: An analysis of contemporary popular inspirational self-help literature in a socio-historical perspectiveen_US
dc.typethesisen_US
dc.contributor.departmentSociologyen_US
dc.description.degreeMaster of Arts (MA)en_US
Appears in Collections:Open Access Dissertations and Theses

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