Psychology has a fascinating and rich history, filled with amazing advances. But it wasn’t all progress. Psychology has a painful past — with many victims.
One of the most devastating times in psychology was a movement called eugenics, a name coined by Sir Francis Galton in 1883. The goal of eugenics was to improve the genetic composition of the population: to encourage healthy, smart individuals to reproduce (called positive eugenics) and to discourage the poor, who were considered unintelligent and unfit, from reproducing (negative eugenics).
One of the main methods to discourage reproduction was through sterilization. While it seems ludicrous now, many people, both abroad and in the U.S., agreed with the principles of eugenics.
In fact, state governments soon started establishing sterilization laws. In 1907, Indiana was the first state to legalize sterilization.
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If this were taken to the letter, then every FBI agent, hospital administrator, member of the legislature, governor and school administrator in Montana would have to be neutered. A practical thought, but most of them eventually die on the highways, anyway.
I never knew about this. I find it shocking that a country as advanced as the US would involuntarily sterilize people according to arbitrary assessments of mental health and whether the person is considered smart or not.
Thank you for sharing this info in your blog.
Horrifying.
Horrific images of Nazi Germany and the extermination of 6
Million Plus Jews, Christians, and others …. For Hitler’s Aerian Race!!!
I’m not shocked at all that this country would have done this. If you think this is ‘horrifying’, then look up MKUltra. Now that this is messed up bad!
I think it’s amazing how we’re able to focus so much on the Holocaust and see ourselves (America) as either bystanders or saviors, when the truth is we too looked for “perfection” through cruelty and discrimination.
This is an eye-opening and wonderfully written post. Kudos and thank you!!