MENTAL TESTS WEED OUT UNDESIRABLES, SAYS DR BEEBE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18803, 4 July 1929, Page 16

MENTAL TESTS WEED OUT UNDESIRABLES, SAYS DR BEEBE.

USE IN INDUSTRY IS RECOMMENDED. “Mental Testing in Industry” was the subject on which Dr C. E. Beebe delivered a lecture to the Canterbury Philosophical Institute last evening. Psychology is riot a parlour game." said Dr Beebe, opening his address, ‘I want to show you that psychology is the putting away of childish things. That is why I have chosen the subject upon which I am speaking to-night. If I have chosen a subject that is too simple, please remember that I am an inveterate and confirmed Workers’ Educational Association lecturer. I merely thought that, as well as showing you some of the methods of psychology, I might point out some of its applications. One of the greatest things to remember is that individuals differ. The first thing to find out is in what respect individuals are alike. When one comes to deal with the human mind, one cannot work out one's problems in terms of x apd p, but in terms of tendencies. Individuals differ, and in industry the thing is to find out what peculiar bent an individual mind has, and to apply that individual aptitude. That prevents waste If a potential professor of mathematics is designated to the occupation of a guttersweeper, not only would his gifts be lost, but he would be a bad guttersweeper. “The business of fitting an individual into the position most suitable for him or her, as the case may be, is at present most haphazard. Take the pamphlet issued at present by a certain lady with somewhat laudable aims. The pamphlet has been issued to the primary schools. In regard to the trade of motor body building, it says what is necessary is an ambition to get on and a desire to master the particular branch into which* the apprentice goes. From that pamphlet one would deduce that if a boy has ambition and a desire to get on and master his peculiar fancy in

trade or profession, he should immediately become a motor-body builder. The matter is condensed into the testing of the intelligence of the individual, and its application in each individual case. In listing for capacity for a certain vacation, the subject must Lrst be tested for general capacity, and then for special capability If any employer has a position vacant, he must test the applicant for general capabilities, and then for his aptitude for the job in hand.” The speaker said that so far the psychological apparatus used in testing individuals . was mainly negative. It weeded out the undesirables, but it did not follow that a man who.passed the test would succeed. The tests were not given in a haphazard wav. What was done-was to " test the test out ” on individuals in the business concerned. I hat could give a perspective upon the accuracy and scope of the test. There were many lists evolved which were proved reasonably accurate. Others were in the process of evolution.