The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-03-18
PSYCHOLOGY TEST EXPLAINED.
With Reference to Army Work and
Business.

| A very interesting lecture on practi-
cal psychology was delivered last eve
| ming by Professor John r. Metcalf Of
the University Of Vermont, before the
! combined members of the Nincitia club
and the Board OF Trade, at the Vineitia
club rooms. This was the Sec
ond of series Of "smokc talks"
being held by the combined organiza-
tions.
Prof. Metcalf has had working
knowledge of the effects of psycholosi
cal test as used in the army in The
World war. II was for the army that
the tests were first devised but they
have now gained such prominence that
they are used more extensively in in
dustrial and educational fields to-day.
These tests, he said, were divided
into three classes, the first being the
general intelligence test, the second,
tests of special ability, and the last,
test of emotions. In taking the first
test no mysterious methods were used
in determining the intelligence OF an
applicant. Prof. Metcalf said that
there was no definition for the word
intelligence any more than there was
for electricity, One point man may
be very intelligent in and yet he may
be of a very low degree as far as gem
eral intelligence -,oes. II was for this
reason that the professor said that it
was 50 har' 20 judge an applicant for
the army. He might be especially good
at one particular task and yet as d
whole be below normal in brain pow
er. STANDARD problems were used as
the first intelligence test of recruits in
the army. The ability to answer these
problems quickly and accurately would
determine the mental alertness and
ability Of the man.
The French psychologist, who origi
mated the system of testing mems
minds by this method, used as his ex
amples a group of backward children.
By giving all the same problem he
could determine the mental age of the
child; in other words, he could by his
and problems determine |
the mind had developed with |
age He gave numerous other exam
plies of equal division Of brain power |
as the results of the test of regi |
ment, etc. The average age Of tie !
mind of man capable of army work
was about eight years. 1t was found /
that about one half Of one per cent I
In the l,750,000 men tested were fee
Bile minded and unfit for service. The I
fact that man might have great abil-
ty in some particular line, such as mi
sie or mechanical skill and yet be al
most feeble minded in general sense;
was explained by the professor. He
gave description of new measur
ng standard being Used to test abil-
ty. for preciseness OF touch, by which
t could be seen just how accurately /
md steady a mans hands We're.
Emotional tests to determine self
control, loyalty, perseverance, and
,ther such elements peculiar TO man
ire what are needed more to-day in
he business world to Judge employees
ind ability of foremen. 1t was cx-
1lained that these tests have not vet
been developed to a great extent, bpt
hat some progress has been made.
After the lecture, the speaker gaze
he gentlemen in the audience a chan e
o ask any questions they wished ard
IN the inquiry OF one of the audience
Ie explained the psychological test
which Babe Ruth underwent to ex-
hahn his home run making ability. Tie
apid coordination and accuracy Of
ontaet of mind, muscle and bat were !
described, showing how he could be 70 !
uperior in the one particular line to
ther players.
After the lecture was completed,
igars were passed about the audience
y the Board OF Trade