FOUNDATION FOR THE STUDY OF POLITICAL PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

Andrew Hammer, Executive Director

Co-Pilot on the Work of SCOTT ATRAN
 

Scott Atran is an American-French cultural anthropologist known for his extensive research and contributions to the fields of anthropology and psychology. Born on February 6, 1952, in New York City, Atran has had a distinguished career that spans several decades and continents¹.

Education and Early Career: Atran’s academic journey began with a BA from Columbia College, followed by an MA from Johns Hopkins University. He earned his PhD in anthropology from Columbia University. During his student years, he worked as an assistant to the renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead at the American Museum of Natural History¹.
 

Academic Positions and Research: Atran has held teaching positions at prestigious institutions such as Cambridge University, Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and the École pratique des hautes études in Paris. He is an Emeritus Director of Research in Anthropology at the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) in Paris and a Research Professor at the University of Michigan.

 Additionally, he is a cofounder of ARTIS International and the Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict at Oxford University¹z

Contributions to Cognitive Science: In 1974, Atran was part of a significant debate at Royaumont Abbey in France, which included notable figures like Noam Chomsky, Jean Piaget, and Claude Lévi-Strauss. This event is considered a milestone in the development of cognitive science¹.
 

Fieldwork and Studies: Atran’s fieldwork is diverse, including interactions with terrorists and Islamic fundamentalists, as well as political leaders and Native American peoples. His research has delved into topics such as terrorism, violence, religion, indigenous environmental management, and the cross-cultural foundations of biological classification¹.


Publications and Influence:

Atran has authored and co-authored numerous publications that explore the cognitive and evolutionary psychology of religion, the categorization and reasoning about nature, and the limits of rational choice in political and cultural conflict¹.

Recognition: He has been recognized for his work with elections to the Cognitive Science Society and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, reflecting his impact on the scientific community¹.

Scott Atran’s work continues to influence the fields of anthropology, psychology, and conflict resolution, making him a prominent figure in the study of human behavior and cultural dynamics.

THE LINKS BELOW ARE RICH AND SUBSTANIAL, PROVIDING ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ON THE WORK OF SCOTT ATRAN (with photographs).

1 en.wikipedia.org2 fordschool.umich.edu3 edge.org4 wikiwand.com