ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book grows from a symposium which was presented at the American Psychological Association meetings in New York City in 1961. Obviously, understanding taboos in their myriad ancient and, at the same time, newly evolving forms is essential. One would suppose that these significant factors in our everyday lives had already been subjected to thorough investigation. The Encyclopaedia Britannica defines taboos as something which has been “marked off,” implying that certain things are unsafe for casual contact or not to be idly approached. Taboos are directed mainly against liberty of enjoyment and freedom of movement and communication. The book indicates the feasibility of research in emotion-laden areas. It illustrates methods and procedures already used in research in some of the areas. The book points out the potentiality of challenging areas in man’s functioning that await scientific investigation by yet-to-be devised techniques.
