German psychological journals under National Socialism: a history of contrasting paths

Five major German psychological journals are examined to determine the changes they manifested upon the advent of National Socialism, and the manner in which they responded to the challenges posed by the new regime's ideology and policies. Two of the journals remained largely unchanged in their content, scientific orientation, and overall tone, revealing predominantly minor forms of accommodation. Two other journals showed a pronounced change in their content, publishing a considerable amount of material of an ideological, racist, or propagandistic nature during the decade starting in 1933. The fifth journal proved an exceptional case. These differences appear to reflect the orientation and values of the editors of the respective journals. Where the editors provided the requisite leadership, scientific publication was maintained essentially free from political interference even under the difficult conditions presented by the fascist state. The article concludes with an examination of the response by postwar German psychology to this period of its history, revealing a disinclination to confront the subject, which was so until very recently. Possible bases for this response are also considered.