Robert Jay Lifton

Robert Jay Lifton is an American psychiatrist and author known for his work on trauma, psychological responses to war, and the effects of ideological indoctrination. He gained prominence for his studies of survivors from Hiroshima and the psychological impact of nuclear warfare. Lifton developed concepts such as "survivor guilt" and explored how individuals and societies recover from catastrophic events. His analysis of cults, authoritarian regimes, and the nature of belief systems has contributed significantly to understanding human behavior in extreme circumstances. Lifton’s insights emphasize the complex interplay between psychology and social environments.