Psychological peculiarities of myth’s integrative function in the context of its comparison with history

Abstract

The paper includes the analysis of similarities and differences between the notions of myth and history paying attention to psychological aspects of the phenomena studied. The author researches into the distortive nature of the myth in reflection of objective reality, and the role which chronological remoteness plays in correlation between myth and history. The paper outlines the integrative function of the myth in the context of conventionalist theory of the nation. It indicates the role of the myth as a marker of belonging to a specific community. It characterizes the position taken by the image of a hero in the structure of the myth, and the function of foundation narratives. The author studies the location of the myth in the system of one’s identity, focusing on the national self-identification. The paper analyzes psychological motivation of myth creation and an individual’s mythological needs. It characterizes the therapeutic effect myth has on a human and traces the peculiarities of creation, development and demise of myths in comparison with similar processes in the history of nations. The author studies the use of historical narratives in political field in the context of aggression and defense as well as the character of the employment of myths for political consolidation. The paper encompasses the analysis of the essence of reactionary myths as a response of one’s psyche to changes which affect the individual’s worldview, especially in the midst of conflict between conservative convictions and revolutionary trends. Finally, it outlines the three-phase process of myth’s historization.