The Influence of War on the History and Development of Clinical Psychology
Overview
This paper examines the historical relationship between warfare and the development of clinical psychology. It argues that major wars, particularly World War I and World War II, were instrumental in establishing professional organizations, advancing treatment approaches for trauma disorders, and creating demand for mental health services for veterans.
What this essay covers
- Introduction and definition of clinical psychology and its scope
- World War I and the establishment of the American Association of Clinical Psychology in 1917
- World War II, shell shock/PTSD treatment, and increased demand for veteran mental health services
- The role of clinical psychology in preventing depression and supporting soldiers and veterans
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Clinical Psychology
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Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology chiefly focuses on the psychological aspects of human functioning relating to the behavioral, social, emotional, cognitive, and biological factors that vary across different cultural and clinical groups. The history of clinical psychology has been greatly influenced by war. One of the ways in which war influenced the history of clinical psychology is that it was during World War I that the American Association of Clinical Psychology was established in 1917 and was replaced merely two years later following the establishment of the American Psychological Association. The other way in which war influenced the history of clinical psychology was witnessed during World War II. During WWII, there were frequent incidents of clinical psychologists being called upon to provide treatment to a condition that was then referred to as shell shock, now known as post-traumatic stress disorder. The final way war influenced the history of clinical psychology was through the increased demand for professionals to treat many of the returning veterans who needed mental care (Cherry & Chung, 2020).
Therefore, it is an irrefutable reality that it was during the war periods that the growth, development, and popularity of clinical psychology were realized. There is thus the recognition of the important role that clinical psychology historically played during the war. As posited by Cherry and Chung (2020), clinical psychology helped the soldiers and returning veterans to overcome the risk of depression that they could have likely succumbed to following the traumatic events witnessed on the battlefield.