NEW PSYCHOLOGY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19917, 2 May 1930, Page 8

NEW PSYCHOLOGY.

VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE. "Vocational Psychology" was the subject of an address delivered by Dr. 0. E. Beeby at a meeting of the Canterbury branch of the Australasian Association of Psychology and Philosophy. Professor Salmond presided over a good attendance. "The new psychology is one that deals with individual differences," said Dr. Beeby. Previous to about twenty years ago psychologists went about their study from the physicists' standpoint of how the human mind works in certain directions. Now, the problems to bo solved were why do the minds of individuals move in different directions. In order to bo successful, vocational guidance must take into account two factors which must be equated as nearly as possible; firstly the requirements of Certain occupations, and secondly tho qualities possessed by the child. An assessment of a child's abilities, cannot in general be made in the primary schools, yet it must be made at the Standard VI. period in order to be really successful. Otherwise much valuable time may be wasted in attempting to train a child for some occupation for which it is not really fitted. Borne form of test is needed in order to measure the child's general intelligence or common-sense, and also different methods are required to test for special aptitudes and abilities varying from the general intelligence standards. The lecturer discussed at length the nature and value of intelligence teats. The use of words were formulated. Such tests are used with immigrants at Ellis Island. A survey of suitability for occupations and the numbers engaged in such occupations clearly showed the fallacy of such a statement as "There is always room at the top." Instead persons of normal intelligence were forced to take jobs that were quite suited to mental deficients. A factor to be taken into consideration in all the experiments was the child's own preference, and where other things were equal advice was always given in the direction of those preferences. , At the conclusion of the address the speaker was accorded a hearty veto of thanks. ~'. ,; r'','" ',' l ."i ■"'"