DESIRES OF MICE AND MEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 83, 8 April 1938, Page 3

DESIRES OF MICE AND MEN

The desires of mice and men are being put today under the scrutiny of science to test a theory that it _is natural to try, hardest for what is impossible, says the "New York Times."

[ Funds h&ve been provided by tha j National Research Council for a psychological experiment at Pennsylvania State College to teach mice the significance of impassable barriers. ■ Dr. AY. M. 'Lepley, Assistant Professor of Psychology, said that the test would be valuable in studying principles that motivate men.

"The results," he said, "may show us the futility of allowing persons to embark on ventures which are impossible."

For weeks Dr. Lepley will let sev-enty-two mice run through a thirty-foot tunnel to food specially prepared for them. Then the passage will be blocked. The mice will be divided into groups, each group having a different distance to run before reaching the barrier.

The idea will be, he explained,' to teach the mice the- futility of running at all when they have learned that the way to the food is blocked. If it work's as he expects, the mice that have the farthest to go in the futile race will run the fastest.

That's how it is, he explained, vfiVk mice and men.