Vocational Psychology: Its Problems and Methods

WITH A CHAPTER ON THE VOCATIONAL APTITUDES OF WOMEN By LETA STETTER HOLLINGWORTH, Ph.D. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, BELLEVUE HOSPITAL, NEW YORK CITY D. APPLETON AND COMPANY NEW YORK LONDON 1922 Copyright, 1916, by D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
Printed in the United States of America
TO THADDEUS L. BOLTON FRIEND AND VOCATIONAL COUNSELLOR OF YOUTH
It is our business to make both a science and an art of human nature. As in the physical world we select first the material suited to our purpose, then turn the iron into steel and temper the steel for the knife, so in the world of human action we must learn to select the right man, to educate him and to fit him for his exact task. This indeed we try to do in all our social institutions, religions, commerce, systems of education and government. But we work by the rule of thumb—blind, deaf and wasteful. The nineteenth century witnessed an extraordinary increase in our knowledge of the material world and in our power to make it subservient to our ends; the twentieth century will probably witness a corresponding increase in our knowledge of human nature and in our power to use it for our welfare. —J. McKeen Cattell, Homo Scientificus Americanus, Science , April 10, 1903.
This book has developed from the material presented in a course on Psychological Tests in Vocational Guidance and Selection which the writer was invited to conduct in Teachers' College, Columbia University. The widespread interest in vocational psychology which has grown up in recent years, the eagerness with which even the most superficial and absurd systems of character analysis are being adopted and tried out, and especially the lack of references, offering conservative evaluation, to which inquirers may be directed, have made it seem advisable to publish the material in systematic form. The book is essentially a presentation of the problems and methods of that branch of applied psychology which deals with individual differences in mental constitution. In the present instance only those differences are considered which may seem to be significant in determining the individual's choice of a vocation, or in influencing the selection of workers from among a group of applicants or candidates. It is the writer's hope that the book may be suggestive to the individual who seeks to know himself better, helpful to the student and parent who may desire to avoid the wiles of the charlatan, encouraging to the investigator or counsellor who is engaged in carrying forward the solution of vocational problems, and useful to the practical man who may be mainly interested in surrounding himself with competent associates and employees. To all those whose published works are referred to in the bibliography, as well as to many not therein mentioned, the writer is under heavy obligations. He is especially indebted to Professor F. G. Bonser, of Teachers' College, for the original invitation to formulate the material, and to Professor Joseph Jastrow, editor of the Conduct of Mind series, for most patient and helpful editorial criticism and suggestion.