Chapter 16 Summary and Analysis

Future shock involves psychological as well as physical factors. Change overloads the individual psychologically and effects the decision making process and the ability to act rationally. The result of these confusing breakdowns is a user of drugs, participant in mysticism, vandalism, apathy, etc. These are all the results of the deterioration in the individual decision making process. The individual can only successfully adapt to change when there is the right amount of change. Too little or too much results in social irrationality. This right amount is called the adaptive range. Future shock occurs when the amount of stimulation is above this adaptive range.

Soldiers in battle conditions are the example used for over-stimulation. The result is lethargy and apathy. This was a result of psychological collapse and it was especially evident in those who penetrated behind enemy lines. Eventually it resulted...