EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES IN CIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-00434A000100050002-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 21, 2000
• Sequence Number: 2
• Content Type: REPORT

25X1C
Approved For Release 2000/08/04: CIA-RDP79-00434A000100050002-3
EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF PSIC8OLOGICAL SERVICES
IN CIA
nitlal2M
An increasing number of programs utilizing the professional skills of
psychologists are being developed in the various Agency components. Folioe.
ing is 4 partial list of specific incidents that have occurred within the
past three or four months which illustrate the danger that development of
independent psychological services in the Agency will lead to duplication
of effort, unwitting interference wit1 each other's programs, and confusion
in the minds of the consumers,
Al. FE had started independently a screenieg program in 25X1 A6a
without availing themselves of professional advice. FE later re_
quested the Office of Training for a survey of this program, which
resulted in am sending a two-man survey team of trained paychologists
to the area.
In FE had initiated the use of a completely. =tried intelli-
gence test for screening purposes in another area.
D. An aeseasment program conducted by a psycholoeist on the
Assessment and Fvaluation Staff but independent of any control of
thie Staff has been conducted in FE. This program has recently
been discontinued.
TSS has indicated an interest in procuring a consulting
psychologist to work on the screening of indigenous personnel, a
problem very closely related to the interest of the staff already
aboard in Assessment and Fveluation.
7. Communications has an independent program of psychologi-
cal testing concerning which the A & E Staff has only limited in-
formation.
G. A, & Z has recertly received a call from an BE representa-
tive who is concerned with the problem of using tests in their
organization.
R. The Medical Office has recently hired a psychologist to
assist the Psychiatric Division.
I. The possibility has arisen that psychological testing done
in Personnel will overlap with that already being conducted by A & E.
Approved ForRelease20 ? -RDP79-00434A000100050002-3
SECRET
Approved For Release 2000/08/04: CIA-RDP79-00434A000100050002-3
? 2 .
The erdblem ot the role of s chola and psychiati
0/Obaap
s
ing with defectors.
Ie A recent proposal by t
psychiatrists assess indigenous pereonnel
recently been proposed. It is understood that
denied.
25X 1C
oacbed the A & E Staff for assistance in
ateam of
purposes has
qaest has been
At various tines,such offices as SR have attenptec3 to pro.
peyohologists for
25X1B3b
ir use in assessment and screening programs
indicates the interest in the use of psycholo tech-
how clearly the need for the development of a clear Agency
use of psychologists and their relationships to operational
ple in the Agency.
A. Cioner4;
1 These p1ic1ea be opted:
4. Paycio1ogiea1 5erviccB be concentrated in a single
staff from which personne/ can be rotated to provide services
am needed.
Agency progress be subject to professional review and
when (1) tests or other techniques in -which psyeholo-
ve special competence are used; (2) where psychological
Lre contemplated for the kind of programa already in
the agency, e.g., essesement.
C. Psychological services be providedeAgencyepte elyon
at adv1eereel3asis save for specific announced cxceptioS.
a. Itychological services- be supported- by a practically
oriented research program,
(1) If recommendation A-le, above-, is rejected" the
research program be assigned. A &E., where: an organize.
tional element for ch services already exists.
SECRE1,
Approved For Release 2000/08/04: CIA-RDP79-00434A000100050002-3
Approved For Release 2000/08gPMDP79-00434A000100050002-3
2. These techniques be adopted,
. A high-level committee, coareble to that used for
review of projects, composed entirely of non-professional
personnel be established to determine which Agency problems
are of sufficient importance to warrant application of special
peyohologieal techniques. This committee can utilize the MCI
approved panel of psychological consultants.
b. For as long as separate psychological staffs d pro-
grams exist, a committee be established with representatives
of the formal psychological programs and chaired by a lay per
son to insure coordination of psychological services and the
implementation of Agency policies concerning them.
. &oscine 'toponym destioes
1. Psychological services should he extended overseas, by the
appointment of a psychological advisor to the senior or area repre-
sentative in certain major areas.
a. A5 a trial of the effectiveness of this proposal,
Melia in
-ical advisors be appointed to Sen
tive, and Senior Representative, resents-
25X1A6a
(These 25X1A6a
advisors will not only advise but perform. certain psycholo-
gical services such as assessment.
2. Because of the special competence of psychologists in the
of prediction, and because of their major role in developing
anent procedures in CIA, the A & E Staff OTR be granted the
role in psychological assessment.
a. It is clearly recognized that the psychiatrist
has exclusive jurisdiction over the diagnosis and impli-
cations of mental illness for Agency problems. Re also
plays a leading role where psychotherapy is concerned.
AS SOOD as this question of mental illness has been re-
solved in the negative, the role of psychological assess
sent comes into play in predicting what the individual
viii do under certain conditions. The relationship of
psychology and psychiatry in this area Should be a coopera-
tive one. As a beginning in developing this relationship,
it is recommended that as the psychiatric program is developed
to the point where such services can be rendered, a psychiatrist,
participate in the assessment in the same place and at the
same time it is being conducted by the psychologist. Eech
should make his independent recomosndation to the operational
personnel concerned.
kl
i4gfApproved For Release 2000/08 . - DP79-00434A000100050002-3
Approved For Release 2000/08/W.QUIDP79-00434A000100050002-3
b. To avoid conrusion n the minds of the consumers,.
recommended that the following principles be announceat
(1) Referral involving special area of psychiatry
as defined immediately above should be made directly
to the Medical Office.
(2) Referrals involving area of spe el paycholo-
al competence as defined 4 ately above should be
erred to the A & E Staff.
(,) Doubtful cases should be refexTed to the A &F
Staff as in the best position to screen them and as a
sure of economy in utilizing the time of the psy-
chiatrist.
ile recommendations of the p chologist are advisor
a wider basis for the re ection of such recommendati
ere action to be taken is contrary to them 001 be rejeved
higher echelon over the person charged with the deciai
CAU-11 Provided la 41911010.01Pta
gladespread Amlication
Psychology an be defined as a science evoted to increasing our
ding of man.* As a profession, its knowledge ann. services can aid in
ion of a wide diversity of problems. It is this possibility of wide-
Application which makes clearcut policies necessary concerning use of
p ythologiste in a particular ageney. Otherwise, a coordinated program de-
signed for the solution of major problems of the Agency may never be developed;
but psychologica/ services will be frittered away on needs of the moment rather
than oriented to long-range, important goals.
There are three principles which are basic to the application of pay
chological techniques to practical problens in a epee_
1. There is a need for familiarization with Agency operation
and Zgenoy problems before these techniques can be effectively
applied. Not only is there need for understanding of the individ-
ual as an individual, but also of the situation in which he will
find himself, before there i$ any possibility of making a predic-
tion what the individual will do. It is people in a particular
setting, and not people in general, which the psychologist is crxk.
corned with when he applies his techniquee.
2. There is need for conatant research to support the psy
hological program. The problems in this field are so co ler
that techniques aesigned for their solution mast be constantIT
Approved For Release 2000/08/60LNIRDP79-00434A000100050002-3
SECRET
Approved For Release 2000/08/04: CIA-RI5F79-00434A000100050002-3
IOW
aluated to insure that they are o ntributlng to the Agenc is
needs and protecting the individuals welfare. Also, sharper
tools need to be developed for many of the problems on which
psychologists' advice is requested.
3. In selecting problems to be studied, there is need for
close coordination with management. In general, management should
determine which problems are of the greatest concern to them ane
Which have the greatest need for solution. This generalization is
subject to two qualifications' (a) The availability of techniques
for the solution of a given problem. There is no point in posing
problem to any profession if there are no suitable techniques
*veils:Ws to study it. CO That manage nt state its requirements
in long-range terms so that careful planning can be employed in
developing methods to meet them.
1. *sop* 4.1ms 2 Apelication
view of the vide range of the illustrative applicationS listed
below is emphasized that these are not necessarily areas in which pay-
ehologiets should be actively participating in the Agency but only situations
in which psychologists could be employed. The areas are given to point out
management problems in 'utilizing psychologists most effectively in a large
organization.
1 d/ad4vidua4s. This selection nega,
the employment of ,certain kinds of individuals?
be positive--selection for specific jobs among those
board. The selection can be on a screening basis or
ough-going assessment basis, depending an the type and
ce of the job. Selection of individuals for supervisory
or for a special covert assignment are illustrations.
or Utilizat4on Indimjduails. The
nt tram selection, in that effort is
or possible ways in utilizing an in-
uating him against the requirements of
orientat o
made to find
dividual rather
a 'Articular job
3. Evaluation a Individuals. The problems involved in merit
rating or personnel evaluation have been subject to a great deal
of research by psychologists and the solution to these problems
is frequently aided by special projects. By what procedures and
at what times should the judgment of supervisors be supplemented
by psychological testing or assessment programs,
4. yvapation .2 Procedures. The complete procedures io-
volved in the recruiting and selection of individuals for em-
ployment of those involved in the selection of career employees
can be evaluated by special studies. Psychologists are generally
well trained in these research techniques.
Approved For Release 2000/ACORtf-RDP79-00434A000100050002-3
SECRET
Approved For Releamse 2000/08/04: CIA-RDP79-00434A000100050002-3
Tndividuals
supervisors in in of
cars in the siif5.cance of behavioral
evaluating potential agents are two examples
Problems. These could include studies of the
ement policies on Ageney activities, develop
-
for assessing defectors, selection of mem to
undertaking of certain missions, studies of
and an analysis for the reason for good and
e illustrations of problems to which psyche-
d apply.
extensive nature of the above applications, it is
these are listed as areas in which psychological tech-
t are not set forth as the special province of per-
speaking, management must decide whether a problem is
ce for the application of limited psychological re-
latiors
t. 410
Others
2:162, 222W122A1 Pesoxne
t is reeognized that everyone deals with psychological problems.
A supervisor evaluates or assesses his subordinates. Any relationship be-
tween people involves psychological problems. Nhat psychology can provide is
specialised knowledge, concepts, and techniques to the solution of those prob-
lams which are considered important enough to warrant this expenditure of time
and effort.
operational or supervisorypersonnel are charged with re i
bilities for performing tasks, they some leeway in carrying out the
ir re-
*possibilities:. Generally speaking, psychological services should be provided
on a. purely advisory basis, letting the consumer determine whether to adept
the recommendations made. There might be occasional exceptions. nor example
where a special selection procedure has been developed, cut-off scores could
eonceivably be established after consultation with the consumer; and these
would be mandatory. Not only does- the Agency profit more ftom use of payoholo.
gists in a staff capacity, but psychologists themselves function better in
staff than line capacities, adapting their techniques to those problems which
are eossidered most important at a given time. The philosophy here is one of
helping Agency people to do a better Sob, and not in any way attempting to do
it for theme
in the interests of bringing wider operational judgment to bear when
resonmsnditions are not accepted by the immediate supervisors, his decision
should be subject to review by the next higher supervisory level. The princi
ple bare is that the review Should be undertaken by someone Who is sufficiently
close to the problem so that be is: in a position to understand the reason for
resection. Review by 4 too remote individual oil too easily becomes a natter
of decision- on the basis of a general policy rather than an the specific_ cir-
etattpitaftftd For Release 2000/08/Q4,GtA-RDP79-00434A000100050002-3
L(jflLI
SECRET
Approved For Releue 2000/08/04: CIA-RDP79 00434A000100050002-3
7
fessitpe
with which psychologists.any agency
hipt with psychiatry and personnel. Both of
may be termed psychological problems. Concern-
psychiatry, the principle that should govern is a
vs one; both have something to contribute to the understand/see of
. The medical person, the psychiatrist, has a very specific
responsibility for evaluating mental illness and for psycho-
o/ogists do engage in psychotherapy, but only under condi-
Q collaboration with physicians. Psychologists, an the other
? by virtue of their special training and experience in the field
tine behavior and accoeplishment, and their intensive concern with
lament of specialized testing techniques, have established a special
competence in this area. A comparison of the psychological litera
the psychiatric will show the velidity of this point. While each
profession has its area of special competence, as noted above, each should be
peitted to contribute the problems that are involved in understanding human
behavicre Any line drawn between fOnctions of the two professions must he
arbitrary to some extent.
The relationshipa with personnel arise from the fact that practi
e lly all personnel problems are psycho/ogical in natuze. To repeat a point
made earlier; this does not mean that psychologists should perform perform
personnel fOnctione. Three points are, however, implied; vhere PgY
chological techniques such as tests are used, those with spe nee
and training in the use of these techniques should review and control the pro.
crane See where independent, professionally controlled testing p grams
exiat? a c need be aet up to insure that there is no overlapping of
effort, no tnteiference of one program with the other, and no confusion caused
In the minds of those eeposed to the programs. =Ed; psyrhological research
tecbniquee can be utilized as an aid in solving some of the problems with which
they are particularly concerned.
1. Ca,r0917 mAnagPmePt.aPITcheloeiste
Since psychological services are conceived to be primarily tura;
in e psychological techniques can be used in all eomponeuts o ; and
since these problems and needs change from time to time, the best placement of
pathologists is on one central staff from which services can be provided as
needed. EXperlence has shown that psychological work is most effective in this
kind of an arrangement. This arrangement has several clear advantages; (1) In
the long runt it is more economical. Psychologists are not brought aboard and
dropped after their special usefeness has been exploited for a particular pur-
pose. (2) It saves time. Delay in furnishing psychological services is not
caused by the need for seeking aut and clearing people as each problem arises.
It is alweys available in a trained staff. (3) Career development of peycholo-
gists can be managed not only to the advantage of their own career development,
Approved For Release 20001/MEZTA-RDP79-00434A000100050002-3
Approved For Release 2000/08/04 : -RDP79-00434X00100050002-3
them useful to CIA in a wider variety of fields. It
/ong.range planning and consistency in the application of
techniques. It cannot be too strongly streed that for some
tency is more important than the particular procedure adopted.
Approved For Release 2000/08
DP79-00434A000100050002-3