Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 10.djvu/465

 THE PROVINCE OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 449

advanced in its own thought to make intelligent use of them. From time immemorial the Arabs have penetrated Africa in con- nection with trade and slavery, and if it could be written, the his- tory of their influence on the native population would be most interesting. Similarly the contact of black and white in America is a subject not at all worked out from the mental standpoint, and the American occupation of the Philippines is a condition which may be watched with equal interest It is apparent already that a very low state of society is not prepared to accept bodily the stand- point and practice of a very high ; the shock is too great, and the lower race cannot adjust. An important question in this connec- tion is the rate at which a lower race may receive suggestion from a higher without being disorganized. Apparently the negro in America has not been able to adjust himself to white standards, while in Africa he has improved in contact with Arab influence. The Filipinos, on the other hand, are apparently able to reaccom- modate after contact with the whites, and change their mental habits, but it remains an interesting question whether the Japanese are not more fit than we to put them in the way of advancement. The psychology of social organization, taken from the stand- point of origin, is one of the most important questions with which the social psychologist has to do, and is also best approached from the standpoint of crisis. The advantage and necessity of living together in large numbers are apparent. But association in large numbers calls for inhibitions and habits not demanded in the individualistic state; and through the stress and strain of readjust- ment and the formation of habits suitable to social life steps are taken in the development of consciousness as well as of insti- tutions. The maternal system of control, and the steps by which filiation through descent as a basis of association gives way to association based on common activities and interests and the occupation of a common territory; the psychology of the blood-feud, its weakness as an agent of control, the steps in its breakdown, and the substitution of control based on law ; blood- brotherhood and tribal marks as signs of community of interest ; totemism as an agent of control; initiatory ceremonies as an attempt to educate the young in the traditions of the tribe ; tabu