From Crowd Psychology to the Dynamics of Large Groups: Historical, Theoretical and Practical Considerations.

Dr. Carla Penna's book, "From Crowd Psychology to the Dynamics of Large Groups: Historical, Theoretical and Practical Considerations," provides a comprehensive overview of the development of group psychology theories over the past century. The book explores the origins of social experience during plagues in the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as the Enlightenment period in the 18th century, which laid the foundation for understanding social phenomena on a larger scale. Penna also delves into the development of crowd psychology and the dynamics of large groups in the 19th century, particularly in relation to industrialization and the impact of World War I. The book highlights the contributions of key theorists and emphasizes the importance of considering social and political contexts in the development of group theory. It also examines the integration of psychoanalytic theories and the social unconscious in understanding group dynamics. Overall, the book offers valuable insights into the historical, theoretical, and practical aspects of group psychology and emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in this field. [Extracted from the article]