THE APPROVED BUREAUCRATIC TORPOR - WATSON,GOODWIN, CRITICAL PSYCHOLOGY, AND THE DILEMMAS OF EXPERTISE, 1930-1945

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) playe d an important role in expanding the mandate and influence of American psychology. This article examines the nature of that role through a c onsideration of the early career of SPSSI's first president, Goodwin W atson. During the Depression, Watson encouraged psychologists to aband on value neutrality and political disinterestedness in favor of politi cally committed activist science. Government service and political per secution during World War II prompted Watson to conclude that his Depr ession-era views had neglected the problematic interface between psych ological expertise and policy formation. Responding to these concerns, Watson adopted a professional model that emphasized psychology's neut rality and objectivity. The article also considers the implications of his experience for contemporary debates on psychology's professional orientation.