Abstract
DR. C. S. MYERS, in a paper before the Royal Society of Arts on March 10 on “Industrial Psychology and the Modern World”, began by showing the indebtedness of this most recent application of psychology to the educational and medical applications that had preceded it. The field covered by it is very wide, since it is concerned with all grades of occupational life, with industrial relations, personnel management and with all the environmental conditions that can hinder or further the happiness, health and efficiency of those engaged in industry. Already the pioneer work done in England is being developed and adapted by many other countries. By a scientific study of individual differences and of the requirements for success in particular occupations, the industrial psychologist has been able to develop a technique which enables him to direct an entrant into the occupation for which he seems most fitted, and also to help the employer to select from a number of applicants those with the fundamental requirements. The young person is thereby saved from much futile groping and the attendant sense of failure. When, however, the right selection has been made, it becomes necessary to train the beginner in the right methods, instead of letting him pick up for himself methods that might be good or might be bad. In this field, the industrial psychologist has made a special study of the best movements and methods of work that should be taught, and of the suitable methods of teaching the required movements. He has also much to offer to management, and could prevent the unnecessary friction resulting from those in authority having more knowledge of the machinery and of the materials involved than of the human beings for whom they are responsible.
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Modern Applications of Psychology. Nature 139, 919 (1937). https://doi.org/10.1038/139919a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/139919a0