Department of Psychology papers
Scope and Content
The University of Minnesota Department of Psychology papers cover the period 1924-1951. The papers include information that deals with the Department’s relationship to the University of Minnesota, as well as material on national psychological institutions and organizations and information on the Department's routine operations.
Much of the collection includes information on student counseling, work programs for students, departmental courses and correspondence with various professors and deans. Richard Elliott served on numerous University committees dealing which are reflected in the collection. The Psychology Department’s course on marriage and the University’s revision of the requirement for the Master's degree reflect Elliott’s committee work within the University. Elliott also served on the Graduate School Executive Committee, the Graduate School Group Committee and was chairman of a committee to organize the honors society of Phi Kappa Phi at the University, and the Psychological Corporation where he served on the Board of Directors. Elliott was also a member of the Social Science Research Council. In addition, he served as a member of the "Conklin Committee" which included chairmen of psychology departments from several universities who met to discuss problems in their field. Elliott was also a member of the Midwestern Psychological Association which worked to develop an introductory course in Psychology.
Dates
- 1924-1951
Creator
- Department of Psychology (Organization)
Language of Materials
English
Use of Materials
Items in the collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.
Copyright
Requests for permission to quote Department of Psychology papers should be arranged with the University of Minnesota Archives head.
Historical Note
Richard M. “Mike” Elliott was chairman of the Department from 1919-1951 and many of Elliott’s activities are mentioned. Elliott received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1913 and also received a post-graduate degree from the University of Berlin. After serving as a captain in the Armed Forces during World War I, he taught at Harvard and Yale Universities, before coming to the University of Minnesota. From 1899-1919, Psychology was part of the Department of Philosophy and Psychology. In 1919, the two fields were split and organized into separate departments. Professor Elliott was named the first chairman of the new Department of Psychology.
During World War II the Department of Psychology participated in several programs to aid the war effort. Courses were developed specifically for military personnel including the Army Specialized Training Unit in Personnel Psychology and the Navy College Training Program. A program of occupational rehabilitation was also established to aid returning veterans. The University offered post-war guidance counseling for returning war workers and servicemen. The Department cooperated with Harvard University in studying the problems of civilian morale and the psychological effects that war has on the population. A series of seminars was conducted at the University that revealed the findings of their study.
Extent
3 boxes
Abstract
The University of Minnesota Department of Psychology papers cover the period 1924-1951. The papers include information on the Department’s relationship with the University of Minnesota, as well as material on various national psychological institutions and organizations and routine operations at the University of Minnesota. Richard M. Elliott was chairman of the Department from 1919-1951 and many of Elliott’s activities are mentioned.
Arrangement
The collection is sorted alphabetically by correspondent and organized into folders. Each folder contains correspondence, reports and surveys and are arranged in chronological order.
Source of acquisition
Collection received from the Department of Psychology in 1953 and 1954.
Partial Subject Inventory
- The following subject inventory serves as a guide to the highlights of the collection. The list was created by staff when the collection was originally processed.
- American Association for Applied Psychology (Folders 17, 40)
- American Psychological Association (Folders 17, 40)
- Army Specialized Training Unit in Personnel Psychology (Folder 1)
- Chapin, F. Stuart (Folders 10, 43)
- Conklin, Edmund S. (Folders 5-6)
- Diehl, Harold S. (Folders 7, 41)
- Elliott, Richard M. (Appears in almost every folder, see especially Folders 6, 8, 22, 24, 36)
- Graduate School (Folders 4, 11-12)
- How to Study (Folder 14)
- Johnston, John B. (Folder 45)
- Proposed Changes in Master's Degree (Folder 11)
- National Research Council (Folders 24-25)
- Proposed Changes in the School of Liberal Arts Natural Science Requirements (Folder 26)
- Paterson, Donald G. (Folders 7, 50)
- Phi Kappa Phi (Folder 36)
- Psychic Research (Folder 18)
- The Psychological Corporation (Folders 38-39)
- Development of Beginning Course in Psychology (Folder 22)
- Institute for Religious Leaders (Folder 16)
- Shumway, Royal (Folders 27, 28, 31, 47)
- Social Science Research Council (Folders 48-49)
- Student Counseling Bureau (Folders 50-51)
- Study of Unemployment and Relief in St. Paul (Folder 15)
- Counseling of Veterans (Folder 35)
- White, Wendell (Folder 8)
- Williamson, Edmund G. (Folder 50)
- World War II (Folders 1, 23, 25, 27-35)
- Title
- Department of Psychology papers, 1924-1951
- Author
- Karen Klinkenberg
- Date
- November 19, 1973
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Collecting Area Details
Contact The University Archives Collecting Area
