Diffusion, circulation, and appropriation of psychotechnics in the work setting in Columbia (1940-1980)

Abstract

The aim of this article was to contribute to the history of psychologi­cal knowledge in the industry in Colombia. For this purpose, an analysis was conducted of the implementation of the first psychotechnical tests for personnel selection purposes by Mercedes Rodrigo (1891-1982), the diffusion of theories about humans in industry by César de Madariaga (1891-1961), and the circula­tion and appropriation of psychotechnics between the 1960s and 1980s are ana­lyzed. We argue that, as in other countries, psychotechnics became a device in Colombia to detect labor aptitudes and a new scientific imperative in the search for productivity in the country’s industries. We also show that a reduction in ac­cidents and the promotion of individual well-being at work were not the main reasons for their implementation in Colombia. On the contrary, they ended up being an instrument to overcome problems of discipline and productivity and a technique for the modelling of men and for occupational adaptations in the context of a surge in import substitution policies.