"Japanese Psychology in Pre-war and Wartime"
SATO Tatsuya
last update: 20151223
Japanese Psychology in Pre-war and Wartime
SATO Tatsuya
Abstract:
This article aims to describe how Japanese psychologists collaborated with the eugenic movement,
military, and nationalistic education policy during pre-war and wartime. For the eugenic movement,
psychologists prepared the scientific method of measuring the human ability (Mental tests). For
military (both navy and army including air forces), many psychologists devised a lot of aptitude tests
and engaged in selecting applicants. And for education, a few psychologists abolished their scientific
ethos and pander to the education policy of ultra-nationalism. Although psychologists in pre-war and
wartime didn't take the important roles in national policy, they played the some roles to conduct the
war. And psychologists did never think over the roles they played.
Keywords: History of psychology, eugenics, military psychology, education, Japanese psychology
REV: 20151223