Faculty Group Reports On Behavioral Sciences

The University will further develop the behavioral sciences on a broad scale if recommendations of a 13-man Faculty Committee on Behavioral Sciences at Harvard are accepted, it was learned yesterday.

These recommendations include the creation of a Center of International Studies, similar to the Russian Research Center, the formation of a Department of Statistics, and an increase in permanent faculty appointments.

Appearing in a 500-page document mailed yesterday to the faculty, these proposals grew out of a year-long study sponsored by the Ford Foundation to examine the position of behavioral science at Harvard. The report concerns nearly every phase of the fields of anthropology, psychology, history, government, economics, and social relations.

Dean Edward S. Mason of the Graduate School of Public Administration headed the investigation. Professor Samuel A. Stouffer, director of the Laboratory of Social Relations, was Chairman of the Executive Subcommittee responsible for writing most of the final report.

Establish Research Fund

Except for some official statistics, the main source of data came from systematic interviews with members of Harvard's faculty in behavioral sciences. The researchers held interviews with one-fourth of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and examined questionnaires sent to all staff members.

One of the most important recommendations of the report was the establishment of a special fund to finance small research projects. The report criticized the heavy teaching and research loads carried by the faculty in the six fields. And it suggested developing closer ties with local universities to prevent unnecessary duplication in new appointments.

During its study the committee examined the historical growth of the behavioral sciences at Harvard. No clear pattern of development appeared. In some cases the graduate schools strongly influenced the growth of these sciences and in others the fields developed separately within individual departments. Generally, the report found the Harvard climate stimulating for the expansion of these fields but still in need of freshening in some areas.

Urgent Need for Funds

For example, it felt that instruction and research in state and local government was weak. The report also pointed out areas in general education for expansion.

The committee concluded that the most pressing needs were for funds, permanent faculty appointments, and development of interdisciplinary programs. "Only if new resources can be found can Harvard adequately provide for the development of the behavioral sciences in keeping with its traditions as a great university," the report pointed out in its introduction. This pressing need for money was a constant theme throughout its seven sections.

Appended to the document was a 19-page Report of the Visiting Committee. This group of five behavioral science experts agreed generally with the main conclusions of the faculty report.