War time work: collaboration between Tavistock and the British Army

During WWII, psychologists and psychiatrists from the Tavistock Group worked with the British Army on two major schemes: War Office Selection Boards, and Civil Resettlement Units. Both schemes applied psychological thinking to wartime problems, such as the officer crisis in the army, and helping Prisoners of War adjust to resettled life in post-war Britain.

Members of the Tavistock Group called themselves the "Invisible College", referencing the Invisible College who were the precursors of the Royal Society. After these initial war-time projects, they went on to form the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, which was established in 1947. The aim was to apply the approaches developed during the war to civilian problems and issues. Both of these early projects were formative in the Institute's thinking. The work conducted at the Civil Resettlement Units contributed ot the development of the concept and methods of therapeutic communities. WOSB selection methods were adapted for use by armed forces all over the world, including in India and Canada. WOSBs were also adapted for use as Civil Service Selection Boards (CSSBs), for use by the Office of Strategic Services, Unilever and other commercial enterprises, and for fire services, police forces, etc.

1941-1987

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