ConcreteAbstractConcreteAbstractConcreteAbstractstreetscopecoattimepenlawinkproofwomanaftclockthoughtlampschemehouseroutemanplotspoonformsaltphasefloorgleehorsecraftgloveworkspongelifechairmythwatchtruthhatrhythmstonerateboxthingchalkfaithgroundcausemattactknifemirth
The examiner should repeat these lists of words to the subject one at atime, alternating the concrete and abstract lists. To insure the presentation of the words with an even tempo, a metronome may be had by simply swinging a small weight on a string, having the string of just sufficient length so that the beats come at intervals of one second. Each word should be pronounced distinctly in time with the beat of the metronome, but without rhythm. After each list has been pronounced, have the subject write the list from memory. The lists thus made up by the subject from memory are then to be inspected with reference to the following points:
1. Memory errors (omissions and displacements), concrete lists.
2. Memory errors (omissions and displacements), abstract lists.
Every omission counts two errors; every displacement counts two-thirds when the displacement is by one remove only, one and one-third when by more than one move.
3. Insertions. These are words added by the subject. They count for two errors each, unless the added word resembles the word given in sound, in which case it counts one and one-third.
4. Perseverations. These are reproductions in a given series of words already given in a previous series. If frequent, this indicates a low order of intelligence, with weak self-controland poor critical judgment. Each perseveration counts four.
5. Substitution of synonyms, when a word of like meaning but different sound is substituted for the word given; counts one and one-third.
A Test for Range of Vocabulary
An approximate determination of the range of vocabulary of your prospective stenographer can be had by the use of the following comparatively short and simple test.
Hand the applicant a printed slip bearing the list of one hundred words given here and ask him to mark the words carefully according to these instructions.
Placebeforeeach word one of these three signs:
(I) A plus sign (+) if you know the word.
(II) A minus sign (-) if you do not know the word.
(III) A question mark (?) if you are in doubt.
When you have finished, count the marks and fill out these blanks, making sure that the numbers add to one hundred.
Number knownNumber unknownNumber doubtfulabductordecideinterimrejoiceabeamdeceptionlanuginoserejoinabeddisentomblanuginousrejoinderabetdisentrancelanugorejuvenateamalgamationdisepalouslanyardscrollamanuensisdisestablishmattingscrubamaranthescharmattockscruffbaronescheatmattressscrunchbaroscopeescortmaturateskylightbaroucheeschalotmuffskyrocketbarquefiliformmuffinskysailbottle-holderfiligreemuffleskywardbottomfilingmuftisubcutaneousbottomryfillpagesub-letboudoirgourdpagodasubduechannelgoutpaidtenderloinchantgovernpailtendinouschanticleergownphotographtendonchaoshodmanphotographertendrilconcatenatehoephotographytycoonconcatenationhoecakephoto-lithographtymbalconcavehogpublicationtypeconcealintercedepuddingviragodecemvirateinterdictpuddlevirescentdecencyinterestpudgyvirgin
By adding find the total number of "plus" marks on the applicant's slip.Multiply this number by 280, and you will then have obtained the applicant's absolute vocabulary.
An absolute vocabulary of twenty thousand words or over may be graded as excellent; 17,500 to 20,000 words, good; 15,000 to 17,500, fair; and below 15,000, poor.
You should not employ as train-dispatcher a person whose time-reactions indicate a tendency to confuse associated ideas. The associated ideas may be related in time, place or a variety of ways, and the memory of one who has an inherent tendency to substitute an associate for the thing itself is a treacherous instrument. The tendency to confuse associated ideas can be measured by psychological tests.
Your own knowledge of the work of the world will suggest other employments besides that of train-dispatcher in which such a test could be used in hiring men to the improvement of the service.
Crime-Detection by Psychological Tests
The employment of psychological tests in the detection of crime is fast supplanting the brutalities of the "third degree."
Thus, for example, by the use of highly sensitive instruments we are able to detect the quickened heart-beat, the shudder, and other evidences of emotion not otherwise discernible, but due to the deliberate presentation of the details and evidences of a crime. Though the subject may not himself be aware of the slightest physical expressionof emotion, these signs of a disturbed mentality are unerringly revealed by the delicate instruments of the psychologist.
The Factory Operative's Attention Power
In some factories the operative is called upon to simultaneously keep watch over a large number of parts of a moving mechanism, and to note and quickly correct a disturbance in any part. Eye and ear must have a wide range, must be able to take account of a large number of operations widely separated in space.
TESTING THE RANGE OF VISUAL ATTENTION. PRIVATE LABORATORY, SOCIETY OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
For the scientific determination of the operative's range of visual attention, the "disc tachistoscope," shown facing page 106, may be used. This is a form of short-exposure apparatus. The essential idea is to furnish a field upon whichthe subject may for a moment fasten his attention, and then to substitute for this field another containing certain prepared test-material. This last field is exposed for but a brief instant and removed, and the subject is then called upon to report all that he has seen during the last exposure. Tests of this kind have demonstrated that the range of visual attention is a comparatively constant quantity with each individual, having but little relation to general ability or intelligence and being but little affected by practice.
It matters not how painstaking the individual may be, he will fail in a test of this kind and at work of this kind if the type of attention that Nature gave him is unfitted for such an "expanded"watchfulness. Yet in any type of work requiring a focusing of the attention upon a minute operation so as to note nice discriminations and detect subtle differences, he might prove a most excellent worker.
Kinds of Testing Apparatus
The kind of apparatus, the method to be employed and the place for the experiment are all matters that vary with the conditions of the special problem. The apparatus may be simple and easily devised, or it may be intricate and the result of years of investigation and a large expenditure of money.
If there seems to you to be anything impracticable in the employment of tests in the manner we have indicated, please remember that for many years those seeking employment as railroadengineers have been required to pass tests for color-blindness, tests just as truly psychological as any that we have here referred to and differing from them only in respect to the character and complexity of the qualities tested.
Analysis of Different Callings
Every calling can be analyzed and the mental elements requisite for success in that particular line can be scientifically disentangled. Methods for testing the individual as to his possession of any one or all of the mental elements required in any given vocation may then be devised in the psychological laboratory.
Furthermore, definite and scientific exercises can be formulated whereby the individual may train and develop special senses, faculties and powers soas the better to fit himself for his chosen field of work.
Exercises for Developing Special Faculties
The use of the experimental method is new to every department of science. Crude and occasional experiments have marked the advance of physics, physiology and chemistry, but it is only with the recent innovation of the scientific laboratory that these sciences have made their greatest strides.
The employment of this method in dealing with problems of the mind is particularly new. So far as we are aware there is no school in all the world that employs definite and scientific exercises in the discipline and training of its pupils in power of observation, imagination and memory.
You have now completed a brief surveyof the fundamental processes of the mind and seen something of the practical utility of this knowledge. You have before you "sense-perceptions," "causal judgments," "classifying judgments," and "associated emotional qualities" or "feeling tones." Every suggested idea, every act of reasoning is in the last analysis the product of one or more of these elementary forms of mental activity.
We shall now go on to consider the operations of these mental processes in connection with certain mental phenomena.
Principles that Bear on Practical Affairs
Our purpose in all this is not to teach you the elements of psychology as it is ordinarily conceived or taught. Our aim is to conduct you through certainspecial fields of psychological investigation, fields that within the past few years have produced remarkable discoveries of which the world, outside of a few specialists, knows little or nothing. In this way you will be fitted to comprehend the practical instruction, the application of these principles to practical affairs, toward which thisCourseis tending.
Transcriber's Note:Illustrations have been moved from their original positions, so as to be nearer to their corresponding text, or for ease of navigation around paragraphs. Duplicate chapter headers have been removed from the text version of this ebook and hidden in the HTML version.The following typographical corrections have been made to this text:Contents: Changed UNCONCIOUS to UNCONSCIOUS (UNCONSCIOUS TRAINING)Page 106: Changed 102 to 106 (shown facing page 106), to reflect repositioning of illustration in this ebook.
Illustrations have been moved from their original positions, so as to be nearer to their corresponding text, or for ease of navigation around paragraphs. Duplicate chapter headers have been removed from the text version of this ebook and hidden in the HTML version.
The following typographical corrections have been made to this text:
Contents: Changed UNCONCIOUS to UNCONSCIOUS (UNCONSCIOUS TRAINING)
Page 106: Changed 102 to 106 (shown facing page 106), to reflect repositioning of illustration in this ebook.