American Behavioral History: An Introduction Fr... May 2026

Understanding this history is more than just an academic exercise. As noted by reviewers at Project MUSE , it helps us "understand better why we live the way we live". By revealing that our "natural" behaviors are often social constructions, we can better evaluate our current cultural assumptions and even influence the future of how we behave as a society.

The NYU Press publication, American Behavioral History: An Introduction , explores several fascinating "cultural turns" in American life: American Behavioral History: An Introduction fr...

Insightful research into how Americans have historically perceived "racial blackness" through smell to justify segregation. Understanding this history is more than just an