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dc.contributor.advisorJasanoff, Maya
dc.contributor.authorLinstrum, Erik
dc.date.accessioned2013-03-08T18:57:06Z
dash.embargo.terms2014-10-05en_US
dc.date.issued2013-03-08
dc.date.submitted2012
dc.identifier.citationLinstrum, Erik. 2012. Making Minds Modern: The Politics of Psychology in the British Empire, 1898-1970. Doctoral dissertation, Harvard University.en_US
dc.identifier.otherhttp://dissertations.umi.com/gsas.harvard:10597en
dc.identifier.urihttp://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:10381391
dc.description.abstractThis dissertation describes how innovations in the science of mind -- laboratory measurements, psychoanalysis, and mental testing -- changed the ideas and institutions of British imperialism. Psychology did not function as a tool of empire in any straightforward way: in many cases, the knowledge it generated called racial stereotypes into question, uncovered the traumatic effects of British rule, and drew unflattering contrasts between the hierarchical values of imperialism and an idealized vision of meritocracy. Psychology did, however, strengthen the authority of Western experts to intervene in other cultures. While they kept their distance from the political culture of officials and settlers, psychologists embraced a modernizing mission, arguing that knowledge of abilities and emotions could make colonized societies fairer and more efficient. The development projects which defined the postwar and postcolonial periods -- usually seen as the golden age of abstract, impersonal, "high modernist" planning -- relied in significant ways on the measurement and management of minds.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipHistoryen_US
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dash.licenseMETA_ONLY
dc.subjectHistoryen_US
dc.subjectHistory of scienceen_US
dc.subjectWorld historyen_US
dc.subjectHistory of psychologyen_US
dc.subjectImperialismen_US
dc.titleMaking Minds Modern: The Politics of Psychology in the British Empire, 1898-1970en_US
dc.typeThesis or Dissertationen_US
dash.embargo.until10000-01-01
thesis.degree.date2012en_US
thesis.degree.disciplineHistoryen_US
thesis.degree.grantorHarvard Universityen_US
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.namePh.D.en_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberBlackbourn, Daviden_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberElkins, Carolineen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberManela, Erezen_US
dash.contributor.affiliatedLinstrum, Erik


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