The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-08-27
VAR MAKES PSYCHOLOGY
IMPORTANT As SHELLS
State University Revises
Courses to Meet New
Requirements.
SMITH TO AID u. S.
Montana Professor Asked to
Help Government in
Crisis.
SMITH TO AID U. S.

Psychology. one Of the dry-as- dust
subjects Of the college and university
curriculum a decade ago, has been
transformed into one of the practical
sciences by the demands of the war
situation. The examination of the
present day recruit does not end with
the ordinary mental test and the physi-
cal inspection which formerly salts
fled: the psychological tests Of mental
measurements and perceptive qualities
are being applied and the government
Ia enlisting the services Of university
experts in the work Of sizing up" the
young men who are applicants for po-
sitions In army or navy.
Smith Asked to Serve.
Professor F. o. Smith of the state
University has been asked to serve as
a member Of the commission which
will have charge Of the work of taking
mental mea surements Of recruits. Pro-
fessor Smith has decided. however. that
his first duty Is here in Montana and
has written TO Dr. r. NJ. Yerkcs Of
Harvard university that he will render
whatever service he can perform here
in Montana. but ne cannot leave the
university at present. Professor G. F.
Seashore. one Of the special lecturers
at the summer session of the univer-
sity and one OF the leading psycholo-
Rists Of the country. IS chairman of
the federal army commission which is
conducting experiments looking toward
the dfQCnVQrS- n :. bnl n "
submarines and hidden land batteries
by sound.
New Psychology Courses.
Some Of the most interesting of the
new courses which the State Tniver-
sity announces as a part OF its war
program this year are those in the de-
partment Of psychology: in the prepa-
ration of these courses Professor
Smith has been guided by realiza-
ton of the importance of his science
IN its relation to the special problems
which the war has developed
speaking the other day of this work
Professor Smith said: "In the opinion
OF experts. many of the scientific prob
lens which the war has forced upon
ties are either wholly psychological or
present psychological aspects. 1t is
therefore the duty of departments of
psychology TO render national service
by lending whatever aid they can to-
ward the solution Of these problems.
In the case Of students of psychology.
IN UNDERGRADUATE courses, this will
mean adequate preparation along sne
cial lines In which research is being
conducted"
Work Is Modified.
To make possible such special on
portunities for study certain modifi
cauons or courses will be made al tive
state University and new courses will
ne added In nsvchnlogv and philoso
rhv. Beginning with the first ouarter
OF the academic wear. a new co,,rsa In
ethics will he offered for freshmen
the course will deal mainly with rroh-
iems ~ citizenship and will consider
esner'a'lv questions arising In con-
necti"n with modern institutions and
current social conditions.
me universities work in exrerjm.r
tai psychology this year will deal mar.
tr"'arly with problems and methods
winch ar" under considers ton bv the
commissions Of the National Research
counciI-notah'v acoustic and yisu.,
problems which the war has dey.,onad
Inc course in mental measurements
VIII be modified to give prominence TO
the problems of vocational and mill
tarv service which the federal plan Of
se'ertive service has made imnortant
Social psychology" says Professor
smith, is one of the youngest of the
social sciences. The recent world con
1iict. may. in 4 large sense be re-
'Rarded as a period of social psvchoIor,.
IN the making. Cognizance of this fact
VIII be taken In organizing the courses
winch VIII be offered during the wear
Special attention will be given to nroh-
'ems OF social unity and race psychol-
oRE and to the other problems under
N'ng interpretations of the war and
Inc conditions Of a world peace"