Military Pyschology Overview

The purpose of this document is to introduce you to the field of military psychology.

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What Is Military Psychology?

Driskell and Olmstead (1989) described the field of military psychology as being "defined neither by a common set of techniques (as experimental psychology) nor by a common set of problems (as is developmental psychology) but rather by the area or context of application - the military." Military Psychology is a microcosom of all psychology diciplines and consequently offers opportunities to psychologists of all persuasions, including but not limited to those who wish to spend their career or a portion of in a military uniform.

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Military psychology offers the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of individuals, in the operation of large organizations, and in the stability of our nation. A small sample of the types of contributions that can be made by military psychologists include (a) working in mental health or family counseling clinics to improve the lives of service personnel and their families, (b) performing research to select recruits into the service and assign them to one of many possible jobs, and (c) analyses of humanitarian and peacekeeping missions to determine procedures that could save military and civilian lives.

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Military psychology was the dominent theme in psychology during World War II. As reported by Driskell and Olmstead (1989). "In 1943, fully half the pages of the Psychological Bulletin were devoted to topics of military psychology, and from 1943 to 1945 one in every four psychologists in the country was engaged in military psychology." After the war, much of what had been learned found ready application in other public and private sector settings.

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In the 50 years since World War II, military psychological research has continued its tradition of innovation and has provided leadership to the civilian sector. Military service research laboratories were created, and extensice programs were established to fund research at universiies and by private contractors. In addition, military psychologists have participated in large social policy programs conducted in the military that were designed to increase diversity and equal opportunity.

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Division Overview

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Member Benefits

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Division ByLaws

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Division Handbook
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Research

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Clinical - Practice

Monitor on Psychology Volume 40, No.6 June 2009