ABSTRACT
Eric L. Trist’s family life was under stress in the early 1950s, and his approach to work in the Institute was seriously focused on his mission to use social science knowledge to benefit society, especially industry and the community. Positive support from British managers of industry for research and its application in industrial communities was difficult to get. Trist felt support would grow when notable figures from industry, government, and education were available to become members of the Tavistock Council. While preparing revised estimates for the Institute’s proposal to the American Foundation, Trist saw Berelson of the Ford Foundation about unsatisfactory funding policies for mental health training. Trist wanted to extend socio-dynamic theories and practice in mental health by enhancing relations between the Clinic, Institute, and other medical bodies. Trist’s additional administrative tasks were dominated by the continuing search for Institute funds, and he was under pressure to report on his own research.
