Exhibition: The Marienthal Unemployment Study – Exploring Social History and Economic Impact in Vienna

This special exhibition revisits the groundbreaking "Die Arbeitslosen von Marienthal" study, which scientifically investigated the consequences of long-term unemployment. It explores the social and economic impact of the 1930 factory closure in Marienthal and the research methods employed by a team of young scientists.

This exhibition delved into the historical context of "Die Arbeitslosen von Marienthal," a landmark study conducted 80 years prior to the exhibition's run. Following the closure of a textile factory in Marienthal, south of Vienna, in 1930, 1,300 workers became unemployed. A team of fifteen young scientists, including Paul Felix Lazarsfeld and Marie Jahoda, undertook the task of understanding the phenomenon of unemployment through diverse methods such as statistics, surveys, and life history analysis. The study, first published in 1933 and later gaining wider recognition through re-editions, highlighted the psychological impact of unemployment, famously concluding that it leads to resignation rather than revolution. The exhibition likely showcased materials related to the study's methodology, findings, and the lives of the unemployed in Marienthal during that era, offering a historical perspective on economic crises and their human cost.