The literature on psychologic and social factors associated with rheumatoid arthritis has been reviewed according to personality characteristics and conflicts, social background factors, precipitating factors, mechanisms, and the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and schizophrenia. After an evaluation of this material, it is suggested that general factors in research design include control groups, careful medical history and examination, objective measuring devices in the psychologic and social area, and longitudinal studies wherever possible. It is suggested that fruitful areas for further research are the importance of losses and separations in childhood, activity patterns, remembrance of dreams, direction and acceptance of sexual identification, parental roles in authority, and symbolization of symptoms. Finally it is suggested that new areas of study might include certain aspects of the concept of self, social mobility factors, and religious practices and expressions.