The Psychology of Liberty: Reclaiming Everyday Freedom

Barbara A. Kerr

Springer Nature, Mar 31, 2025 - Psychology - 187 pages

This book introduces a new concept of liberty, based on the idea that being free means being the humans we evolved to be in our first 200,000 years. With perspectives from psychology, anthropology, and sociology, the author shows how throughout history, dominant individuals and status hierarchies have injured our psychological and physical well-being. Readers discover simple behaviors that make humans feel free (like gossiping, playing, making, and storytelling) and are prompted to a compelling reflection threats to this freedom.

Psychology of Liberty: Reclaiming Everyday Freedom explores the dynamics of creative families, communities, and societies, showing how they sustain human freedom. The author identifies new pathways to freedom, drawing from examples of resistance to authoritarianism. In this timely and ambitious book, the author combines personal narrative with academic research to make complex ideas accessible.

Contents

• An Introduction of the Psychology of Freedom: 1
• When We Were Free: 13
• So What Do Humans Do When They Are Free?: 25
• Psychology of Liberty The Conflict Between Freedom and Control: 47
• Taking Away Other Peoples Freedom: 61
• A Womans Liberty: 83
• How to Get People to Work for You for FreeEnslavement Old and New: 101
• Are Hierarchies Inevitable? The Rule of Kings and Priests and the Alternatives: 112
• Happy Families Free Families: 125
• Free Communities Cooperatives Collectives Creative Communities: 141
• Free Schools or Schools of Curious Delight: 152
• Liberty in a Social Democracy The Case of Iceland: 165
• Reclaiming Our Liberty: 175
• Index: 183

About the author

Barbara A. Kerr is the Williamson Family Distinguished Professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of Kansas, USA. She is an American Psychological Association Fellow and Fulbright/National Science Foundation Arctic Scholar. Her research has focused on the development of talent, creativity, and optimal human states. A scholar, psychotherapist and community activist, her works promote creative freedom.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Psychology of Liberty: Reclaiming Everyday Freedom
• Author: Barbara A. Kerr
• Publisher: Springer Nature, 2025
• ISBN: 3031846702, 9783031846700
• Length: 187 pages
• Subjects: Education / Educational Psychology; Philosophy / Mind & Body; Psychology / Developmental / Child; Psychology / Developmental / General; Psychology / General; Psychology / Social Psychology; Social Science / Anthropology / Cultural & Social; Social Science / Sociology / General