Robert Jay Lifton (psychiatrist and author)

Robert Jay Lifton is an influential psychiatrist and author renowned for his research on the psychological effects of trauma, war, and genocide. He explores how individuals and societies are impacted by extreme experiences, such as Hiroshima or Auschwitz, and how they process guilt, conformity, and moral responsibility. Lifton’s work also examines tactics like brainwashing and thought reform used in totalitarian regimes. His insights deepen our understanding of human resilience, moral dilemmas, and the ways in which history and psychology intersect to shape behavior and identity.