Multiply, vary, let the strongest live and the weakest dieCharles DarwinStone, C. P.
doi: 10.1037/h0056300pmid: N/A
This is a review of views concerning the origin of the diversity of instinctive behavior. Behavioral variations as the building stones of a theory of evolution by natural selection are discussed. Darwin's explanations in terms of "acquired" instincts, small hereditary variations, and instigated variations are presented and treated in terms of a history of experimental studies that clarified and modified them. The role of selection and isolation conclude the discussion. The author makes a plea for a study of "the instincts as they are related to the subject of behavioral ecology."
Season of birth and mental differencesPintner, R.; Forlano, G.
doi: 10.1037/h0061066pmid: N/A
This is a review of studies from 1929 to the present concerned with the relation of intelligence scores to season of birth. The studies are based on large numbers of subjects, usually in the thousands. The subjects in most studies are children, in one they are adult men, and in two college students. There is a strong suggestion of slightly lower mean intelligence for individuals born in the winter-autumn half of the year, the colder-darker months, than for individuals born in the spring-summer half of the year, the warmer-lighter months. While the difference is generally slight and in many cases well below the conventional limits of significance, it is in some cases well above these limits. Both exogenous and endogenous theories are suggested in explanation of the phenomenon. The phenomenon is seen as merely one aspect of the seasonal fluctuations of numerous physical, mental, and sociological factors. Suggestions are made for future research.
Training in military personnel psychology: Minimum requirements for college coursesBellows, R. M.; Richardson, M. W.
doi: 10.1037/h0055298pmid: N/A
These are suggestions to civilian university psychology instructors regarding the orientation of their courses so that they will have value for the future army officer in personnel administration. Job analyses of the Army personnel technician and personnel consultant are presented. A statement of the content of 7 courses frequently offered by psychology departments follows. A plea is made to plan these courses so that they will include the fundamental principles of personnel work such as test and measurement rationale. In addition to traditional courses, the authors request training of future officers in (1) occupations and occupational psychology, (2) criterion development and appraisal, and (3) the practical use of Army classification tools. Generally available Army regulations and training manuals are listed as essential sources of occupational and military personnel information.
The Subcommittee on Mental DeficiencyDoll, E. A.
doi: 10.1037/h0059375pmid: N/A
The formation of this subcommittee was voted by the Emergency Committee in Psychology in May, 1941. History, purpose, and accomplishments of the subcommittee are described. Among the accomplishments to date are listed: a syllabus formulating the concept of mental deficiency in terms of both "history and status with reference to social competence, educational attainment, occupational proficiency and intellectual level;" a syllabus dealing with rapid examination and screening methods; and a list of professional personnel in this field. The subcommittee hopes in time to extend its services in the direction of placement of mental deficients. Cognizance was given to conduct problems of the mentally deficient, problems of training and rehabilitation, and the promotion of effective research. It is anticipated that the efforts of the subcommittee will be projected into the postwar period.
The Subcommittee on the Services of Women Psychologists in the EmergencyTolman, R. S.
doi: 10.1037/h0059526pmid: N/A
This subcommittee of the Emergency Committee in Psychology considers itself a fact-finding group and made recommendations to the National Council of Women Psychologists. Its activities to date were in reference to: (1) preparation of materials on courses for women and on leadership training in civilian life, (2) testing for Selective Service Boards, (3) care of pre-school children, (4) selection of volunteer workers in civilian defense agencies, (5) research in food habits, (6) occupational testing, (7) government service, (8) selection of WAAC officer candidates, and other services. Statements of the work of this subcommittee have been made to groups of interested women.
The Subcommittee on a Textbook of Military PsychologyBoring, E. G.
doi: 10.1037/h0059387pmid: N/A
There is a review of the efforts during the last war and the early part of this war to plan textbook materials on military psychology. The present subcommittee of the Emergency Committee in Psychology consists of 4 editors in addition to the editor-in-chief and military consultants who shall treat in a text the following fields: perceptual functions; training, efficiency, and selection; motivation, morale, and personal adjustments; leadership, public opinion, and psychological warfare. The editors have farmed out chapters and sections to other psychologists. 45 of them have already contributed. The style is to be vigorous, alive, practical, interesting, and free from obvious parade of academic learning. The proposed title is Psychology for the fighting soldier, the proposed price, 25.
Morale research and its clearingAllport, G. W.; Schmeidler, G. R.
doi: 10.1037/h0057441pmid: N/A
This article traces the history of efforts to establish a clearing house to aid psychologists in the problems of morale. Activities of the Subcommittee on Defense Seminars of the Emergency Committee in Psychology are described up to the committee's discharge in September, 1942. At that time the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues reorganized and continued the work of the first committee through a Committee on War Service and Research. Subcommittees have been appointed on: clearance and information, leadership research, morale research, news letter on morale and leadership research, field cooperation, morale measurement, and children in wartime. 43 topics are listed as indicative of the interests of the social psychologists who have corresponded with the committee.
Review of 'Principles of applied psychology'Anderson, John E.
doi: 10.1037/h0049887pmid: N/A
Reviews the book Principles of Applied Psychology by A. T. Poffenberger . The emphasis throughout is on individual adjustment; in fact this is almost a key-note for the book. The aspect of the book that will be most seriously criticized is the relative emphasis on the different topics. Industrial efficiency, broadly construed, gets a more complete discussion than anything else. Education, as just implied, receives very little discussion in its own right. Medical and legal applications likewise receive comparatively scant treatment. However these briefer portions are nevertheless well done and the material is wisely selected. The book seems to be aimed at the student with an introductory background in psychology. It is definitely not written down to the layman although the preface suggests that he can "read around" the more technical portions. There are numerous figures which are well selected and make the text more understandable. It is likewise very thoroughly annotated and will be of some value as a reference book. There is a bibliography of over 700 titles which will prove helpful to people running down the literature in this field. On the whole, the book is comprehensive, well-written and readable. Aside from the matter of comparative emphasis, the reviewer has no serious criticism. It will undoubtedly fill a useful place as a test book for courses on applied psychology.