The Psychological Impact of the Cold War

Authors

Chloe M. Leek, University of Central FloridaFollow

Streaming Media

Files

Course Code

EUH

Course Number

2001

Faculty/Instructor

Professor Amy Darty

Faculty/Instructor Email

Amy.Darty@ucf.edu

About the Author

My name is Chloe Leek, I am currently attending UCF online as a psychology undergraduate. I aspire to gain further research experience in order to eventually work toward a doctoral degree. This opportunity was encouraged through my previous professor for two semesters, Professor Amy Darty. I would like to recognize her as a partner in the pursuits of knowledge, and for pushing me to complete some of my first milestones as a researcher.

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

The purpose of my project, The Psychological Impact of the Cold War, was to explore how the events of the Cold War psychologically affected nations, leaders, and civilians. The key activities that I pursued entailed gathering research from several primary and secondary sources, taking extensive notes, assembling a storyboard for my presentation, composing a script, rearranging the timeline of my information, adjusting the timeline to fit the required elapsed time, and creating a digital poster along with supplemental materials. Throughout my studies, it was reflected in my discoveries that a good portion of Western culture today has been influenced by the consequences of the Cold War, in turn, psychologically manipulating us. Eastern and Western Germany are a good example of this phenomenon, as divided as they were, their division eventually led to the creation of warped identities that excluded Easterners from Westerners after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Additionally, this can be attributed to the drastic lifestyle differences between Germans under Communist rule and Germans protected by NATO. Additionally, it is worth mentioning how impactful the devastation of war is within small countries such as Vietnam—countries that must rely on support from wealthier Western nations due to military violence and fallout that has ruined the environment and any chances of recovery. Overall, this experience has taught me a new form of ambition and organization.

Keywords

Cold War; Psychology; Vietnam War; Western Civilization; History; Psychological analysis; John F. Kennedy; Cuban Missile Crisis; Berlin Wall; Nazi Germany; Afghanistan; Nuclear Arms Race

Recommended Citation

Leek, Chloe M., "The Psychological Impact of the Cold War" (2025). High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025. 28.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/28