27 September 2024 to 27 April 2025
IWM London
Everyone
Free event
Human thought, emotion, and behaviour is critical to war.
War and the Mind is a free exhibition at IWM London exploring war’s many psychological dimensions, from the First World War to the present day.
What motivates people to start and support wars? How do humans think, feel and act during conflict? How do we make sense of the devastating conflicts that have shaped our world?
Enduring War
Objects such as this newly-acquired mitten, which belonged to the baby son of a British airman, illustrate how sentimental objects and lucky charms soothed the nerves of many superstitious aircrew as they embarked on fraught missions.
For civilians caught up in conflict, there is a psychological adjustment to a brutal ‘new normal’ - the threat of violence, uncertainty, and separation from loved ones. War and the Mind will explore how exhausted populations are encouraged to endure war’s hardships.
Shattered Safety
During the Cold War, the threat of nuclear war prompted the British government to issue this Protect and Survive booklet to households across the country. It gave people practical tips on how to cope in the event of atomic attack, from creating a designated ‘fall-out room’ to dealing with casualties within the home. The booklet's stoic tone was at odds with the terror provoked by nuclear weapons.
Throughout War and the Mind, cutting-edge UK Research and Innovation projects delve deeper into the psychology of conflict – from the use of drones and the front line experiences of British armed forces in the Falklands Conflict, to attitudes towards the enemy and the significance of soldiers’ dreams during the First World War.
Find out more about the research projects that have helped to shape the exhibition.
Planning Your Visit
We recommend allowing around 90 minutes to visit War and the Mind. You may also like to explore permanent galleries and displays at IWM London as part of your trip.
To further explore the themes covered in War and the Mind, browse and buy relevant titles in the IWM bookshop on your visit.
Large print guides will be available at the exhibition.
Partners and sponsors
