Oscar J. Kaplan Collection MS-0288
Special Collections & University Archives
01/15/2008
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA 92182-8050
askscua@sdsu.edu
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & University Archives
Title: Oscar J. Kaplan Collection
Creator:
Kaplan, Oscar J.
Identifier/Call Number: MS-0288
Physical Description:
4.67 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1941-1992
Language of Material:
English
.
Scope and Contents
The
Oscar Kaplan Collection documents Kaplan's career as a pollster, psychologist, gerontologist, and member of SDSU's faculty. Also included is Kaplan's
work with various organizations including the Gerontological Society, American Society of Aging, the American Psychological
Association, and SDSU's Center for Survey Research. Documentation of Kaplan's works as a pollster includes health surveys
about tuberculosis and venereal diseases, health education research surveys, student health surveys and prescription drug
surveys. Highlights include correspondence for the radio series
Your Life After Forty, the White House Conference on Aging, studies and statistics about tuberculosis, evaluations of polling information, and
health education research. The collection dates from 1941-1996, with the majority of the materials dating from the late 1940s
to the early 1960's. It consists of articles, correspondence, surveys, survey data, research reports, statistics, newsletters,
Psychology Department bulletins, minutes, memos, and syllabi and other course files.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with
the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections
is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be
submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission
of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available
for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including
but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, folder title, box number, Oscar J. Kaplan Collection, Special Collections and University Archives,
San Diego State University Library.
Biographical Note
Born in 1915, Oscar Kaplan was known as "the father of geriatric psychology." Growing up in Los Angeles, he received his bachelor's
degree in psychology from UCLA and went on to get his master's degree in the same field, from the same institution. In 1940,
he got his PhD in psychology from the University of California Berkeley.
Kaplan started his career as a major figure in the study of public polling. While working for the
San Diego Union Tribune, he and his wife, Rose, developed various polls pertaining to life in San Diego. These topics included political, social
and economic surveys. His focus, however, was centered on mental and physical health issues.
In 1946, Kaplan became the first professor in San Diego State College's (SDSC) psychology department to have a PhD. His interest
in mass psychology lead him to develop courses related to public opinion measurement. In 1948, he founded the SDSC Center
for Survey Research, remaining as director until shortly before his death. While at SDSC, he created several public heath
surveys, asking students about their knowledge of dietary information, mental and sexual heath, X-rays, pregnancy, and prescription
drug usage.
Kaplan authored
Mental Disorders in Late Life, the first book about geriatric psychology. In 1946, the Surgeon General appointed him as a special consultant in gerontology
to the U.S. Public Health Service. In 1949, Kaplan developed a radio program geared toward elderly listeners. Titled
Your Life After Forty, the program gave advice about mental and physical hygiene for senior citizens. This program included polls about X-rays
and venereal diseases, new topics unrecognized by the elderly community.
Kaplan's exposure to the public caught the attention of the Truman administration. He urged the President to develop the White
House Conference on Aging, finally holding the conference in 1950. That same year, he became an appointed member of the Gerontological
Society, an organization devoted to the promotion of scientific study on aging.
In 1955, Kaplan founded what is now known as The American Society of Aging. Five years later, he became the founding editor
of
The Gerontologist, a professional journal in the field.
The political climate in the 1960's inspired Kaplan to develop polls about the country's opinion on political issues. These
included public opinions about Vietnam, civic affairs, public health surveys, and social security. In 1967, Kaplan organized
a survey asking his psychology students about the educational system in California. The subjects were questioned about the
value they saw in a college education, teacher compensation, and student rights.
In 1969, Kaplan received several grants from the U.S. Public Health Service. With the adequate funding, he was further able
to develop public polls about health and social issues. That same year, Kaplan created a student opinions survey, asking SDSC
students about American political and economic systems. Some questions inquired about the ethical implications of capitalism,
and how students felt about political processes in the United States.
Kaplan continued polling throughout the 1970's, developing several surveys about media issues. In 1974, Kaplan taught an upper
division class in public opinion measurement at San Diego State University (Psych-Journalism 122). The class focused on the
methods by which polling information is obtained, and how it is presented in the media (especially on television).
In the latter part of his career, Kaplan was recognized for several outstanding achievements. In 1976, Kaplan was given the
annual award by the Western Gerontological Society. In 1982, he was nominated for the Alumni faculty award at San Diego State
University, receiving a grant for his achievements. The following year, Kaplan was nominated to be an outstanding professor
in the Cal State University System.
Though Kaplan retired from SDSU in 1983, he continued polling well into the 1980's. He was the first pollster to inquire about
President Reagan's popularity in the decade, and further developed polls about political affairs.
After a struggle with cancer, Oscar Kaplan passed away on December 19th, 1994.
Accruals
2000-004
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Personal Papers
Aging
Older people--Medical care
Gerontology
Social surveys--California--San Diego County
Kaplan, Oscar J.--Archives
San Diego State University--Faculty--Biography--Sources
box 1, folder 1
Gerontology Radio Series: "Your Life After Forty" Folder 1
1950
box 1, folder 2
2nd International Gerontological Congress Folder 2
1951
box 1, folder 3
"Mailed Response to an Article on Geriatrics in the Reader's Digest," by Oscar J. Kaplan Folder 3
ca. 1952
box 1, folder 4
Reader's Digest-Geriatrics Folder 4
1949 - 50
box 1, folder 5
"Optimal Retirement Plans, Their Implication for the Industrial Physician," by A. G. Kammer Folder 5
1951
box 1, folder 6
"Health Status & Health Needs Among Aged Beneficiaries of Old-Age & Survivors Insurance," by I.S. Falk Folder 6
1951
box 1, folder 7
Medical Care for Aged Folder 7
ca. 1949
box 1, folder 8
Age as a Factor in Physical Examination Frequency Folder 8
1949
box 1, folder 9
Gerontological Society Folder 9
1949 - 52
box 1, folder 10
Newsletters of the Gerontological Society Folder 10
June 1954 - December 1956
box 1, folder 11
The American Geriatrics Society-correspondence Folder 11
1950
box 1, folder 12
Research on Aging: Proceedings of a Conference at the University of California, Berkeley Folder 12
August 7-10, 1950
box 1, folder 13
Health & Psychological Risks of Relocation of Elderly Residents of 4 Mobile Home Parks in the Santee, California area: State
Route 52 Project
Folder 13
July 1990
box 1, folder 14
"America's Centenarians: Reports of Interviews with Social Security Beneficiaries who have lived to 100"-volume III Folder 14
December 1963
box 1, folder 15
"Social Indicators & the Aging," by Ontell, R. and Kaplan, O.J. Folder 15
1972
box 1, folder 16
White House Conference on Aging-correspondence Folder 16
1947-50
box 1, folder 17
Aging & Cancer Folder 17
1950
box 1, folder 18
Senior Citizens Survey Folder 18
1964, February 1973
box 1, folder 19
Planning Committee - Master's in Gerontology Folder 19
1979 - 80
box 1, folder 20
Office of Pacific Coast - Gerontology Research Folder 20
1946 - 52
box 1, folder 21
Mayor's Committee on Aging Folder 21
1974 - 77
box 1, folder 22
Miscellaneous Aging/Gerantology Programs Folder 22
1949 - 73
box 1, folder 23
Health Project correspondence - Gerantology & Tuberculosis Folder 23
1950 - 52
box 1, folder 24
Tuberculosis Information Folder 24
1948 - 50
box 1, folder 25
Tuberculosis Mail Study Folder 25
1951
box 1, folder 26
Tuberculosis Association Evaluation Folder 26
1949 - 50
box 1, folder 27
County Tuberculosis & Health Association Radio Study Folder 27
1951
box 1, folder 28
Resident Civilian Tuberculosis Statistics - S.D. County Folder 28
1952
box 1, folder 29
Diabetes Folder 29
1941 - 52
box 1, folder 30
VD Hooperating Folder 30
1949
box 1, folder 31
VD Radio Study Folder 31
1949
box 1, folder 32
VD Radio Audience Survey Folder 32
1949
box 1, folder 33
VD Cancer, Chest X-Ray Surveys Folder 33
1941 - 51
box 1, folder 34
"An Evaluation of a Public Health Venereal Disease Education Program," by Richard Warfield Folder 34
1949
box 1, folder 35
X-Ray Survey Folder 35
1948 - 51
box 1, folder 36
Mass X-Ray Folder 36
1948 - 50
box 1, folder 37
Mass Chest X-Ray Statistics Folder 37
1949 - 50
box 1, folder 38
Chest X-Ray Survey Folder 38
1949
box 1, folder 39
"Effectiveness of Mailed Material in Inducing Older Persons to Obtain Chest X-Rays," by Oscar J. Kaplan Folder 39
ca. 1952
box 1, folder 40
"Frequency & Effectiveness of Sources of Information used in the 1949 Hamtramck, Michigan Chest X-Ray Survey," by Norbert
Reinstein & Ralph Carr Fletcher
Folder 40
May 1950
box 1, folder 41
"Frequency & Effectiveness of Sources of Information used in the 1949 Highland Park, Michigan Chest X-Ray Survey," by Janeal
Benson Griffins
Folder 41
September 1950
box 1, folder 42
"Reasons for Non-Participation in the HIghland Park, Michigan X-Ray Survey," by Marion Henderson Folder 42
November 1950
box 1, folder 43
Current Health Education Reseach Folder 43
1949 - 50
box 1, folder 44
Health Education Studies Folder 44
1947 - 49
box 1, folder 45
Health Education Program Evaluation Folder 45
1946 - 52
box 1, folder 46
Health Education Evaluation Folder 46
1948
box 1, folder 47
Evaluation of Health Education Activities by Opinion Poll Technique Folder 47
1950 - 51
box 1, folder 48
Mass Health Education Folder 48
1948 - 49
box 1, folder 49
Health Education Correspondence Folder 49
1950
box 1, folder 50
World/Public Health Education Folder 50
1948 - 49
Scope and Contents
pamphlets, flyers, articles, correspondence
box 2, folder 1
Health Sample Surveys Folder 1
1948
box 2, folder 2
Health Survey #1 - Questionnaire forms Folder 2
1949
box 2, folder 3
Health Survey #1 - Results Folder 3
1949
box 2, folder 4
Questions for Health Survey #2 Folder 4
1948 - 50
box 2, folder 5
San Diego City Health Survey Folder 5
1949 - 51
box 2, folder 6
San Diego State College Health Survey (Kellogg Study) Folder 6
1948
box 2, folder 7
Evaluation of San Diego's Health Folder 7
ca. 1952
box 2, folder 8
Health Systems Agency Survey Folder 8
1978
box 2, folder 9
Payroll on Health Survey Folder 9
1949
box 2, folder 10
Health Statistics Folder 10
1948 - 49
box 2, folder 11
Health Study - Regular Physical Examinations Folder 11
1949
box 2, folder 12
Physical Exam Week Campaign Materials Folder 12
1950
box 2, folder 13
Regular Physical Exam Week Folder 13
1949 - 50
box 2, folder 14
Periodic Exam Education Folder 14
1949 - 50
box 2, folder 15
Imperial Valley Pap Smear Survey Folder 15
January 1971
box 2, folder 16
Papanicolaou Smear Survey, San Diego County Folder 16
1961, 1962, 1966
box 2, folder 17
Voluntary Organizations Folder 17
1951
box 2, folder 18
Voluntary Health Study Folder 18
1951 - 52
box 2, folder 19
"Attitudes Toward Voluntary Health Organizations," by Oscar Kaplan Folder 19
1952
box 2, folder 20
"Public Opinion of San Diego Residents Regarding Health & Welfare Organizations," by Herbert Fredman Folder 20
August 1951
box 2, folder 21
Community Welfare Council Folder 21
1951, 1960
box 2, folder 22
Red Cross Survey Folder 22
1951 - 52
box 2, folder 23
County Medical Society Folder 23
1948 - 50
box 2, folder 24
San Diego County Drug Survey Results Folder 24
1985
box 2, folder 25
Birth & Death Rates in Community Areas in San Diego in 1st Quarter Folder 25
1949
box 2, folder 26
Deaths & Death Rates for 64 Selected Causes Folder 26
1952
box 2, folder 27
Classifications of Physicians & Surgeons by Community Area Folder 27
ca. 1972
box 2, folder 28
Parent Discussion Group Survey Folder 28
1954
box 2, folder 29
Family Service Association Folder 29
1949
box 2, folder 30
Civilian Defense Folder 30
1951 - 52
box 2, folder 31
San Diego Civic Problems Survey #1 Folder 31
1951
box 2, folder 32
Follow-Up: San Diego Civic Problems #1 Folder 32
1951 - 52
box 2, folder 33
San Diego Civic Affairs Survey #3 Folder 33
1951 - 52
box 2, folder 34
San Diego Civic Affairs Survey #5 Folder 34
November 1959
box 2, folder 35
Civic Affairs Survey #10 Folder 35
1964 - 65
box 2, folder 36
San Diego Civic Affairs Survey Folder 36
1959, 1960
box 2, folder 37
San Diego Civic Problems Survey Folder 37
November - December 1957
box 2, folder 38
San Diego Civic Problems Surveys Folder 38
November 1957
box 2, folder 39
A Survey of Citizen Attitudes in San Diego Folder 39
ca. 1970
box 2, folder 40
County Attitude Survey Folder 40
July 1971
box 2, folder 41
Balboa Park Parking Study Folder 41
February 1980
box 2, folder 42
San Diego Higher Education Survey Folder 42
June 1976
box 2, folder 43
Public Opinion on Vietnam War Folder 43
1965 - 66
box 2, folder 44
Intergroup Relations in San Diego: a report to the City Council & the Board of Education of the City of San Diego Folder 44
1946
box 2, folder 45
San Diego County Real Estate Investment Groups, by Hippaka, W.H., and Kaplan, O.J. Folder 45
1962
box 2, folder 46
"San Ysidro Economic Potential" Folder 46
December 1968
box 2, folder 47
"Public Opinion & Fluoridation," by Oscar J. Kaplan Folder 47
ca. 1952
box 2, folder 48
Save Your Water Project Folder 48
ca. 1952
box 2, folder 49
Chula Vista Shopping Center Surveys Folder 49
1968
box 2, folder 50
Coronado Shopping & Civic Affairs Survey Folder 50
January 1972
box 2, folder 51
Senior Opinion Survey Folder 51
Spring 1959
box 2, folder 52
Restaurant Surveys Folder 52
January 1977
box 2, folder 53
Belmont Park Survey Folder 53
May 1972
box 2, folder 54
Highway Safety Survey Folder 54
ca. 1970
box 2, folder 55
San Diego Political Opinions - correspondence Folder 55
1963
box 2, folder 56
Campus Studies Institute, SDSC - Student Opinion Survey Folder 56
1969
box 2, folder 57
San Diego's Population Statistics Folder 57
1920 - 50
box 2, folder 58
San Diego Transportation Survey Folder 58
December 1975
box 2, folder 59
Community Crime Survey Folder 59
May 1974
box 2, folder 60
Metropolitan San Diego Housing Report Folder 60
1952 - 53, 1957
box 3, folder 1
Second Supervisorial District Survey Folder 1
August 1972
box 3, folder 2
Community Needs Survey Folder 2
1949
box 3, folder 3
San Diego Bank and Savings & Loan Survey Folder 3
November 1962
box 3, folder 4
Evaluation of the San Diego Plan for Racial Integration Folder 4
1977 - 78
box 3, folder 5
Brown for Supervisor Folder 5
Fall 1972
box 3, folder 6
Progress Report - RG 1552 Folder 6
1949, 1950
box 3, folder 7
US Public Health Service #RG 1552 Folder 7
1949 - 53
box 3, folder 8
RG 1552 - Progress Reports, Budget, Plans Folder 8
1949 - 52
box 3, folder 9
RG 1552 Bills Folder 9
1949 - 50
box 3, folder 10
Money Due from US Public Health Service Folder 10
1950
box 3, folder 11
US Public Health Service Budget Folder 11
1948 - 51
box 3, folder 12
US Public Health Service - miscellaneous Folder 12
1949 - 52
box 3, folder 13
Plans Folder 13
Summer 1952
box 3, folder 14
Berkeley Training Institute Folder 14
August 20, 1959
box 3, folder 15
Vocational & Liberal Education Folder 15
1947
box 3, folder 16
Postage Meter Slogans Folder 16
ca. 1949
box 3, folder 17
Posters Folder 17
ca. 1951
box 3, folder 18
Sound Seminars Folder 18
1952
box 3, folder 19
Newsletter Correspondence Folder 19
1951 - 53
box 3, folder 20
San Diego Civic Construction Project Survey Folder 20
1958 - 59
box 3, folder 21
Placement of Unemployed Middle-Aged Workers in San Diego, California Folder 21
November 1968
box 3, folder 22
Department of Psychology Faculty Promotion Folder 22
1950 - 59
box 3, folder 23
Psychology Department Bulletins, Minutes, Memos Folder 23
1963
box 3, folder 24
Psychology S-180 Folder 24
Summer 1974
box 3, folder 25
Psychology S-180 Folder 25
Summer Session, 1972
box 3, folder 26
Psychology - Jour 122 Class Survey Folder 26
Fall 1967
box 3, folder 27
General Psychology Committee, Report Folder 27
1949 - 50
box 3, folder 28
Handbook for American Psychological Association Division Officers Folder 28
1952
box 3, folder 29
American Psychological Association - Division on Maturity and Old Age Folder 29
1948 - 52
box 3, folder 30
American Psychological Association (APA) - newsletters - correspondence Folder 30
July 1952 - February 1953, 1992
box 3, folder 31
Horn American Psychological Association Symposium Talk Folder 31
1950
box 3, folder 32
"Behaviorism," by John B. Watson, lectures I-XII Folder 32
n.d.
box 3, folder 33
Aztec Readers Survey Folder 33
1974
box 3, folder 34
Omnibus Survey Folder 34
ca. 1988
box 3, folder 35
Public Relations Survey Folder 35
May 1951
box 3, folder 36
Discussion of organizational problems in methodology: associations, publication, research support Folder 36
n.d.
box 3, folder 37
Bond Issues Survey Folder 37
1958
box 3, folder 38
State Proposition 1A Survey Folder 38
September - October 1962
box 3, folder 39
"Report of the Activities of the Phillips-Ramsey Company" Folder 39
1951
box 3, folder 40
Principles of Communication Folder 40
ca. 1950
box 3, folder 41
Eleven Principles of Effective Communication Folder 41
1951
box 3, folder 42
Communication Research Folder 42
n.d.
box 3, folder 43
Post Card Poll on Duration of War Folder 43
1943
box 3, folder 44
Idaho Social Hygiene Folder 44
1942 - 43
box 3, folder 45
South California 1st National Bank Employee Morale Materials Folder 45
1969
box 3, folder 46
The Dolls Survey - Health Folder 46
1949
box 3, folder 47
Correspondence, re. Polling Organizations Folder 47
1951
box 3, folder 48
Project Publicity Folder 48
1949
box 3, folder 49
Educational Records Bureau Bulletins Folder 49
1965 - 66
box 3, folder 50
Radio Programs Folder 50
1949
box 3, folder 51
Television Project Folder 51
n.d.
box 3, folder 52
Television Surveys Folder 52
1949 - 52
box 3, folder 53
California Contemporary Problems TV Course Folder 53
1974
box 3, folder 54
Miscellaneous correspondence Folder 54
1950 - 60
