PROBLEMS OF RESEARCH IN SUPPORT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-01065A000500080001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 4, 2000
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 10, 1952
• Content Type: MF

Approved, For,Releaaw 2000/04/19 : dff 80-010665100500080001-4
Security Information
10 September 1952
MEMORANDUM FOR: DEPUTY DIRECTOR (PLANS)
SUBJECT Problems of Research in Support of Psychological
Warfare
1. The following summary is presented for your information. Subject
will be discussed at the PSB meeting on 11 September.
2. Background:
The PSB, as a part of its planning function, recognized the
need for intelligence and research data in the formulation of national
strategic plans.
3. It was noted that several agencies of government were engaged
in some type of psychological warfare, notably Defense, State, and CIA.
Considerable research was being done in support of these efforts and the
PSB in attempting to coordinate the national psychological effort recog-
nized some inadequacies in the research setup. The most noticeable
shortcoming ieAuplicatidn.
4. Mr. K was appointed by the PSB to investigate and
report on this problem:
a. How can research efforts and money best be channeled to
projects which contribute to waging the cold war?
b. How can utilization of results by operational personnel be
improved? 25X1 A
5. The report of Mr. (copy attached-pages 17 through 25, only,
need be brought to your at n on departed from an investigation restricted
to research being conducted in support of psychological warfare and concerned
itself more with the entire field of social science research, much of which
has only an indirect relation to the psychological warfare problem.
6. The report
Approved For Release 2000/04/19 Sf ntIP80-01065AO00500080001-4
 Approved For Release 2000/04 6c -RDP80-0106v9V000500080001-4
25X1A
6. The report is noteworthy in two respects, however. It points
out that: (a) No formal mechanism exists amrwhere in the Government
for determining what research projects are being undertaken within the
Government labratories; and (b) There is no central index to which In
administrator can turn to find out uig ckly and easily what others are
doing.
7.. DD P's interest in research:
Research in support of psychological warfare falls into two
main categories: (a) Universal determinants of action. This involves
research in the field of pure psychology. It would collate the mass of
existing information from the special point of view of psychological
warfare operations. It would serve as guidance to the planners of
psychological warfare operations by advising them of those psychological
factors of a universal nature which motivate people to action.
(b) Particular determinants to action. Research under this category could
probably be confined to anthropology and sociology. The existing infor-
mation in these fields would be explored again special point of
view of the psychological warfare planner in mind to indicate those
particular factors such as myths, beliefs, habits, etc., which are
instrumental factors in motivating people to action.
8. The broader field of research in the social sciences is of
interest to psychological warfare, insofar as it provides a broad
background base of information which is useful in the planning and
conduct of psychological warfare. The social sciences are of more
direct concern to the intelligence community.
9. Some means of central coordination would serve to reduce dupli-
cation, point up gaps where additional research is needed, insure better
Government utilization of the research product, and familiarize agencies
engaged in research with the special needs of psychological warfare. The
problem, then, is basically one of establishing a focal point in Govern-
ment which can serve these purposes.
10. There are certain advocates for establishing this coordinating
mechanism as a part of OIR in the Department of State. Current directives
assign the responsibility for coordination to State. State's lack of
leadership in the research field heretofore has been attributed to lack
of money and personnel. The OIC believes that the primary responsibility
in this field rests in the State Department's intelligence area. The
report recommends assignment of this.function to the PSB.
25X1A
Attachment:
A
d
f
0M?4M91
r
ocn
ppraa
a
Chief
Political and Psychological Warfare
-girl 0-01065A000500080001-4
 ",Approved For Releas&2000/04/19 : CIA-RDP80-0106540?0500080001-4
iI
1952
at the
discussion
quirmnuts; (b) Agency problems
coordination; and (d) Utilization o
at,
25X1A
problem 'W
submit recova
research acti
duplication;
use of vear
,he original investigation a:
a view tos (a)
assigning n
It is the staff's manta
t departments w
b)
(d)
5X1A
m a Limited study concerned with psychologic=al *rfare
consideration of the whole field of
;h, mph of which has only an inert relation to p ''chological
yes that Government units responsible for planing
and conducting p: chologic l warfare in peace
ads a, the extent to which the
ould deter :i their"
the element of central coordination can be introdua .
.cast, tefexe;
,our following
t to ~t.;
Approved For Release 2000/04/19 : CIA-RDP80-01065A000500080001-4
 Approved For Release-2000/04/19 : CIA-RDP80-01065AQQ0500080001-4
Approved For Release 2000/04/19 : CIA-RDP80-01065A000500080001-4
 INSTRUCTIONS: Officer designations should be used in the "TO" column. Under each comment a line should be drawn across sheet
and each comment numbered to correspond with the number in the "TO" column. Each officer should initial (check mark insufficient)
before further routing. This Routing and Record Sheet should be returned to Registry.
ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
cvP
ROOM
NO.
s2 ,
25X1A
OFFICER'S
FWD 'D INITIALS
'VD0'' gg 6
FLEISF
BIT,
1) Returned fcxr your file a.
2) F'Y'I: At the P&B Board maet1ng,
Ste', KLarkparr=,, State., stated
that the sew. u cj report on
PW research by the F aral Goverrj~
mart dated 1 July was rear for
distribution. He z~~ :Mated
that a card 1ndaix Mm ton is kept
uffilah lists t rv. -%hh u o , 5
csategcrie :
a. By 3 titu+ n
h. By :I ivldua,j
a. r gc+r-La2xit,.,7. 3Oa
d. Dy rajoat riatt
g. By csc .Letioii e t';e,
Fe 19V 1 p?Aprproved For Release 2000/04/1 %i k$-RD R PRINTINGOFFIC6