PSYCHOLOGICAL WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 126, 23 November 1935, Page 32

PSYCHOLOGICAL WORK

ITS USE IN INDUSTRY

The first of a series of public luncheons arranged with a view to stimulating interest in the objects and work of the National Institute of Industrial Psychology was held at the Connaught Rooms recently, says •'The Times."

Lieutenant-Colonel Sir John Keane, who presided in the absence of Lord Macmillan, said their aim was the betterment of human conditions in all walks of life through the study of the human element in occupational matters. By practical advice they were able to eliminate a great deal «£ the unhappiness and fretfulness in industry. One very large London firm utilised practically the whole of the time of one of the institute's staff with gratifying results.

Sir Kingsley Wood, Minister of Health, in commending the aims and the work of the institute, said there were individual problems with each man and woman, all of whom had their characteristics, mental and physical, and the more they could meet and adapt these to- the general purpose the greater would be their happiness and benefits of life.

The institute came into touch with many matters of deep interest to the Ministry. The carrying on of their work in satisfactory surroundings was a great factor in producing efficiency and a happier life for the workers. The institute was seconding the efforts of the health authorities, ,as any measure which tended to safeguard the working community from accidents and improved the health, both" physically and mentally, was bound to have a far-reaching effect. When workers were able to perform their tasks in good conditions it was bound to benefit national health.

The adoption of scientific principles for the placing of- individual workers in the class of work for which they were best suited was a very important part of the institute's aims. They could not hope to achieve Utopia, but at any rate something was being done to remove square pegs from round holes, and the work of the institute was to be commended as doing something towards the general welfare of the community. He hoped that the Government would in the next few years, by dealing with the evils of overcrowding, largely improve the health of the workers and benefit the health of the whole country.