Allan Horwitz, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, in 1948. Ph.D. from Yale University, New Haven. Professor II of Sociology at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
Fellow (1 September 2007 – 30 June 2008)
BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS OF NORMAL EMOTIONS AND MENTAL DISORDERS: A STUDY OF ANXIETY
My research at NIAS focused on starting a book about the distinction between natural fears and pathological anxiety disorders. It examines the shifting classifications of normal and disordered conditions in different historical periods and explores the way that a variety of interest groups shape these classifications. During my stay at NIAS I completed first drafts of six out of a projected eight chapters of a sole-authored book. I also began a co-authored book, tentatively titled “Medical and Psychiatric Explanation”. I am nearing completion of the three chapters I will write for this book on depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. I also completed two book chapters in edited volumes, a long encyclopedia entry, and had four articles accepted in refereed journals, including the leading journal of sociology, the American Journal of Sociology. I also published several pieces in more popular, non-refereed outlets.