Between the Laboratory, the School, and the Community: The Psychology of Human Development, Toronto, 1916-1956

In the twentieth century, Canadian psychologists have been involved with the educational system and the community at several points in time. In this article, the psychology of human development as developed at the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto from 1916 to 1956 is investigated. In a variety of projects, the mental health of children was investigated in educational settings while measures were designed and tested to prevent maladjustment and to promote mental health. Initially, research and intervention aimed at adjusting school children to the educational setting. Later, a critical perspective on social institutions and Canadian society was articulated.

Au 20° siècle, les psychologues au Canada se sont impliqués è plusieurs occasions dans le système éducatif, la vie associative et diverses fonctions sociales. Cet article se penche sur la psychologie du développement humain, telle qu'clle a été élaborée è l'Institut de psychologie de l'Université de Toronto de 1916 è 1956. Nombre de projets se consacraient è étudier la santé mentale des enfants dans le cadre scolaire tandis que des mesures étaient conçues et testées pour prévenir les problèmes d'adaptation et favoriser leur santé mentale, Au début, la recherche et les interventions cherchaient surtout è adapter les écoliers et écolères au cadre scolaire. Depuis, on assiste è l'émergence d'un regard critique sur les institutions sociales et la société canadienne.