Psychologist undercover: George Kelly and the Central Intelligence Agency

In 1960-1961, George Kelly, the American psychologist renowned for developing personal construct psychology (PCP), took a trip around the world, visiting many different countries. Along the way, he hobnobbed with prominent university professors and delivered his now-famous article, "Europe's Matrix of Decision." However, Kelly's trip was more than just an academic sojourn. It was paid for by the Human Ecology Fund, which we now know was a front of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Was Kelly aware of this? The historical record suggests that he was and that he was probably reporting regularly to the CIA throughout his trip. Arguments and evidence for this interpretation-including uncovered documents showing that Kelly's travels were a formally proposed project funded by the CIA's controversial MKULTRA "mind control" program-are provided. Furthermore, Kelly's probable participation in other CIA initiatives is examined. Compelling proof of Kelly's CIA activity, while never gathered and summarized in one place, has long been available. This article lays to rest any doubts by documenting the many strands of evidence illustrating Kelly's CIA involvement. The implications of this evidence for thinking about George Kelly, the challenges encountered by psychologists during the Cold War, and the issues facing historians of this period are explored. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).