Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates
Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1961
Book Brief
BetaAsylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1961386
Book • Nonfiction
Mental Institutions • 1960s
1961
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates by Erving Goffman examines the experiences of individuals in total institutions, focusing on how institutional settings impact identity and self-concept. The book explores processes like admission, daily life, and the struggle for autonomy, highlighting the effects on personal dignity and social roles.
Informative
Unnerving
Challenging
Contemplative
Dark
Reviews & Readership
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Review Roundup
Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates by Erving Goffman is praised for its groundbreaking analysis of institutional life and the concept of "total institutions." Some critics find it dense and challenging but acknowledge its profound impact on sociology and mental health discussions. The vivid observations underscore the dehumanizing aspects of such institutions.
Who Should Read Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates?
Readers interested in Asylums by Erving Goffman likely engage with sociology, psychology, or institutional critique. They appreciate works like Foucault's Discipline and Punish and Szasz's The Myth of Mental Illness, valuing critical insights into institutional life and social constructs.
1,748 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
386
Book • Nonfiction
Mental Institutions • 1960s
1961
Adult
18+ years
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