Contribution of military science schools and areas of the Military Medical Academy to development of Russian military psychology

Analysis of the contribution of prominent representatives of military science schools and areas of the Military Medical Academy (MMA, MNMA) to establishment and development of the Russian military psychology supports an important role of the Academy’s scientists in refining of ideas, and establishment and development of military psychology as a research and practice area. Even in a pre-scientific period of military psychology concepts, medical officers (mainly, general practitioners) were the first to raise and study a number of psychological aspects and issues of military service. Later, the baton was picked up by psychiatrists, namely, Bekhterev’s students: Mikhail Dobrotvorsky, Efim Borishpolsky, Gerasim Shumkov, and others. This contribution remains undervalued and ill-studied as part of the history of psychology, medicine, and Russian history in general. This conclusion prompted us to design and write the paper. To show the role and place of prominent academicians in establishment and development of the Russian military psychology in accordance with the accepted historical periodization. The review uses the analysis and arrangement of thesis researches on interdisciplinary topics, and topics pertaining to military psychological issues. As a result of the analysis of the established Academy military science schools’ activities, seven schools were selected. Their representatives have made the greatest contribution to the development of ideas and areas of military psychology. The activities of a number of military science schools of the Academy allow us to recognize their significant contribution to establishment and methodological support of various areas of training and activities of military psychologists.