Orval Hobart Mowrer - War Work

War Work

In 1944 Mowrer became a psychologist at the Office of Strategic Services developing assessment techniques for potential intelligence agents. Mowrer's experience with the laboratory induction of psychological stress, along with the work of other psychologists, was utilized to construct an environment in which recruits could be assessed for their ability to withstand highly stressful situations.

As part of his work there, he participated in a seminar led by Harry Stack Sullivan. Sullivan's theories on the role of disturbances in interpersonal relationships with "significant others" in the etiology of mental disorders had a profound effect on Mowrer's thinking. When Mowrer returned to Harvard, he began counseling students in addition to his faculty duties. He used the principles he had learned from Sullivan, questioning them about their interpersonal relationships and confronting them when he felt they were being dishonest.

Read more about this topic:  Orval Hobart Mowrer

Famous quotes containing the words war and/or work:

    “... But if you shrink from being scared,
    What would you say to war if it should come?
    That’s what for reasons I should like to know
    If you can comfort me by any answer.”
    “Oh, but war’s not for children it’s for men.”
    Robert Frost (1874–1963)

    They [parents] can help the children work out schedules for homework, play, and television that minimize the conflicts involved in what to do first. They can offer moral support and encouragement to persist, to try again, to struggle for understanding and mastery. And they can share a child’s pleasure in mastery and accomplishment. But they must not do the job for the children.
    Dorothy H. Cohen (20th century)