The Construction of Reality in the Nuclear Age

Abstract

nuclear, to the older teenager's comprehension and relatively sophisticated appreciation both of dangers and safeguards. The transformations over the years suggest that the expected progression in the construction of reality does occur. There is evidence, too, that teenagers' and adults' attitudes changed during the nuclear age in the direction of seeing no future after a nuclear war and supporting any action to maintain peace, short of jeopardizing national security. The current adult orientation is not unlike that implied by Einstein's call for new thinking and seems not to be controlled by denial or psychic numbing. A widespread anti-war outlook combined with low level anti-war activity is typical political behavior rather than nuclear-related apathy. Research in this area has been subject to criticism, much of it selfcriticism, and investigations have become more rigorous. With nuclear threat subsiding, the literature has other potential applications.