19th Century Perspectives and Political Developments

To encourage religious freedom across different cultures

To promote equality among all races and classes

As justification for racial superiority, colonialism, eugenics, exploitation, and oppression

As an argument against imperialism and colonization

Nationalism

Fascism

Marxism

Romanticism

The most capable or strongest individuals and societies are the ones that prosper.

All members of society have equal chance to survive irrespective of their abilities.

Society's structure can only be changed through violent revolutions.

Societies will inevitably evolve into more advanced states over time.

They had no significant impact on psychological studies during this time period,

They spurred interest in studying human behavior from a biological perspective.

They discouraged psychologists from exploring non-biological explanations for behaviors,

They forced psychologists to completely reject all previous theories about human nature,

Quantum Mechanics

General Relativity

Natural Selection

Laws of Motion

It ended the Industrial Revolution.

It laid the groundwork for Social Darwinism.

It led directly to World War I.

It abolished slavery throughout Europe.

It led to international agreements limiting colonial claims to prevent conflict between European powers.

It promoted equal treaties and respect for indigenous cultures based on mutual survival of all human societies.

It was used to justify colonial expansion as a natural selection process of stronger nations dominating weaker ones.

It encouraged rapid decolonization movements, arguing that imperial rule was an artificial hindrance to natural competition.

Charles Darwin

Sigmund Freud

Herbert Spencer

Karl Marx

They encouraged greater state intervention to alleviate poverty, based on a belief in collective responsibility for societal welfare.

Some people used these ideas to argue against aid for the poor, seeing it as interference with natural selection.

They led to increased charitable giving, as people sought to help those disadvantaged by natural selection.

They had no impact on views of poverty and philanthropy, which were determined solely by religious beliefs.

Feminist movements focusing on social Darwinist arguments about competitiveness, possibly increasing conflicts between gender roles.

Movements advocating women's rights adopting social Darwinism perspective solidifying hierarchy structures within their own ranks based on merit.

Early feminist groups using social Darwinism theories align themselves closely with capitalist ideals, emphasizing individual success.

Women's movement leaders might have utilized social Darwinist arguments, emphasizing women's adaptability and survival skills, potentially lending scientific legitimacy.