A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 2 with Dr. Ursula Wilder [SpyCast]
CyberWire Daily
Introduction
Exploring the use of psychoanalytic theory in understanding the childhood experiences of figures like Churchill and de Gaulle, and its application in diplomacy and strategy through historical examples.
In honor of Women's History Month, please enjoy this episode of the International Spy Museum's SpyCast podcast featuring part 2 of Andrew Hammond's discussion with Dr. Ursula Wilder of the Central Intelligence Agency.
Summary
Dr. Ursula Wilder (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the intersections between psychology and intelligence. Ursula is a clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience working at the Central Intelligence Agency.
What You’ll Learn
Intelligence
- How psychology can be useful to national security
- Historical examples of leadership analysis
- Leadership personality assessments & the Cuban Missile Crisis
- Psychoanalytic theory and espionage
Reflections
- Human nature throughout history
- History repeating itself
And much, much more …
Quotes of the Week
“Together, these documents are quite powerful. The psych assessments are very, very carefully, tightly held and are classified at a high level. Every intelligence officer has this fantasy about seeing the file that's kept on them by the opponents.” – Dr. Ursula Wilder.
Resources
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*
- Agent of Betrayal, FBI Spy Robert Hanssen with CBS’ Major Garrett and Friends (2023)
- The North Korean Defector with Former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo (2023)
- SPY@20 – “The Spy of the Century” with Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022)
- “How Spies Think” – 10 Lessons in Intelligence with Sir David Omand (2020)
*Beginner Resources*
- What is Psychoanalysis? Institute of Psychoanalysis, YouTube (2011) [3 min. video]
- Psychologists in the CIA, American Psychological Association (2002) [Short article]
- 7 Reasons to Study Psychology, University of Toronto (n.d.) [Short article]
DEEPER DIVE
Books
- Freud and Beyond, S. A. Mitchell (Basic Books, 2016)
- Narcissism and Politics: Dreams of Glory, J. M. Post (Cambridge University Press, 2014)
- The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, E. Hoffer (Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2010)
- Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, D. K. Goodwin (Simon & Schuster, 2004)
- Leaders, Fools, and Impostors: Essays on the Psychology of Leadership, M. F. R. Kets de Vries (iUniverse, 2003)
Primary Sources
- Charles de Gaulle to Pamela Digby Churchill (1942)
- Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat (1940)
- Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant (1885)
- Gettysburg Address (1863)
- House Divided Speech (1858)
- Excerpt on Cleopatra from Plutarch's Life of Julius Caesar (ca. 2nd century AD)
- Plutarch’s The Life of Alexander (ca. 2nd century AD)
- Appian’s The Civil Wars (ca. 2nd century AD)
- Virgil’s The Aeneid (19 B.C.E)
*Wildcard Resource*
- On Dreams by Sigmund Freud (1901)
- In this simplified version of the father of psychoanalysis’ seminal book The Interpretation of Dreams, you can get a small taste for Freudian philosophy. Freud believed that dreams were a reflection of the subconscious mind and that studying a person’s dreams can elucidate their inner wants and needs. What are your dreams telling you?
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