EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Evening Star, Issue 19559, 18 May 1927, Page 3

EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

SUGGESTED CHAIR AT UNIVERSITY The establishment of a chair of experimental psychology at the University or Otago was suggested to the meeting ot the University Council yesterday a iternoon by the Howard League tor lonal Reform. The league wrote suggesting the appointment of a lecturer iu the subject, and recommended that the council should apply to tho Dunedin Savings Bank for funds to endow tho lectureship. It was thought an endowment of £6,U00, subsidised by tho Government, should provide tho salary. ' Tho -Professorial Board .recommended the establishment of a course in experimental psychology provided that adequate funds for salary, initial equipment, and accommodation could be obtained. (This was recommended by tho arts and science faculty and tho, medical faculty.) Dr J. Fitzgerald pointed out that an important branch or medical study was being neglected. Ho referred to midwifery in which ho thought they should establish a chair before going in for the proposal before the meeting. M> Stephens moved that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee. Mr J. Rennie moved as_ an amendment that a special committee should bo appointed to report to the council. He thought the business was important enough for that. The amendment was lost. Mr 1.. D. Ritchie, moved as a further amendment that the matter be referred back to the Professorial Board for a report as to what teaching was required —whether they should have a new chair,, an assistant to Professfr_ Dunlop, or a full-time lecturer. The Finance Committee was quite incapable of forming any opinion on the matter. After discussion, it was decided to refer the question to the Professorial Board, which will report to the Finance Committee.