Beyond the Concepts: Applying Psychology to Life – The Salem Witch Trials and Ergot Poisoning

Welcome to the first episode of Beyond the Concepts: Applying Psychology to Life!

In this episode, I explore the fascinating connection between the Salem witch trials and ergot poisoning, a theory proposed by psychologist Linnda Caporael (1976).

Join me as I reflect on how this historical event relates to modern-day mental health misdiagnoses and the broader implications for psychology and society. I’ll also discuss insights from my textbook, A History of Psychology: Globalization, Ideas, and Applications by Lawson and colleagues (2017), and explore how paradigms shape our understanding of the world.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Salem witch trials and the theory of ergot poisoning
• Connections to modern mental health misdiagnoses
• The “New History of Psychology” and marginal ...