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International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 54, No. 3, 272-284 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0020764008090282

The Eugenic Legacy in Psychology and Psychiatry

David Pilgrim

Mental Health Policy, University of Central Lancashire, UK, dpilgrim{at}uclan.ac.uk

Background: Assumptions about genetic differences in human mental characteristics can be traced in large part to the eugenic movement, ascendant at the turn of the 20th century.

Material: This paper offers historical case studies, of `innate general cognitive ability' and `psychiatric genetics', in order to appraise the eugenic legacy in current psychology and psychiatry.

Discussion: Reviewing the work of representatives, Cyril Burt, Franz Kallmann and Eliot Slater, along with their research networks, it is argued that eugenics remains a quiet but powerful background influence in modern-day psychology and psychiatry.

Conclusion: At the turn of the 21st century, eugenics remains an important area of inquiry, reflection and education for those in the inter-disciplinary field of social psychiatry.

Key Words: eugenics • innate general cognitive ability • psychiatric genetics


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