What have we forgotten ‐ and why?

Abstract

British industrial, occupational and organizational psychology has an important yet largely forgotten history. Before and between the two world wars, significant theory and practice was vigorously developed, princes and prime ministers enthusiastically attended psychological functions and early radio broadcasts unselfconsciously emphasized the national importance of psychology for individuals, industry and commerce. Practical help provided by psychologists resulted in increased productivity and effusive public thanks from both employees and employers. As an illustration, we describe the genesis, flourishing and demise of the internationally admired National Institute of Industrial Psychology (NIIP). We examine both the content and the methodological, political and values basis of its work, and provide examples of its relevance today. We identify several reasons for this apparent memory lapse, including a lack of institutional continuity, academic hegemony and ignorance, U.S. domination of psychology, worship of the new and ambivalence about political influence. An ignorance of our shared history may lead to undesirable consequences, including a debased rediscovery of forgotten ideas disguised as invention or, conversely, a failure to build on the work of the past. A more subtle risk may be a move away from a shared humanistic orientation based on common values and principles.

UK occupational/organizational psychology, applied science and applied humanism: Some further thoughts on what we have forgotten

“…Finally, we continue to believe that psychology may be in danger of forgetting pioneering work, with consequent neglect of much that is valuable, not least our values and raison d'etre.We thank our distinguished colleagues for their comments on our paper 'What have we forgotten -and why?' (Kwiatkowski, Duncan, & Shimmin, 2006). We are glad that Highhouse (2006) described our paper as 'provocative' and, with caveats, concluded by saying he 'celebrates' the piece.…”

“…We thank our distinguished colleagues for their comments on our paper ‘What have we forgotten ‐ and why?’ (Kwiatkowski, Duncan, & Shimmin, 2006). We are glad that Highhouse (2006) described our paper as ‘provocative’ and, with caveats, concluded by saying he ‘celebrates’ the piece.…”

Work and Organizational Psychology

“…In 1921 this work led to the creation of the UK National Institute of Industrial Psychology (NIIP), set up with the specific aim of promoting and encouraging practical application of the sciences of psychology and physiology to commerce and industry. By the 1930s the NIIP was a centre of excellence for research into topics such as work hours, rest pauses, dexterity and work conditions: the underlying rationale being that the scientific approach could improve worker performance and, ultimately, national economic success (Kwiatkowski, Duncan and Shimmin, 2006).…”

In praise of contemporary occupational psychology: A response to Kwiatkowski, Duncan and Shimmin

“…As Henry Ford famously observed, ‘History is more or less bunk’. In making claims about the neglect of the history of occupational psychology this polemic by Kwiatkowski, Duncan and Shimmin (2006) runs two major risks. First, it can present a partial and unduly positive picture of that history and secondly, it can paint an unrealistically negative picture of the situation today.…”