Evening star., 1941-11-27
Of Stors, Men
And Atoms
Notebook Of Science Progress
In Laboratory, Field
And Study
BIZ Thomas r. Henry.

By Thomas r. Henry.
America is four years. older than in
1917
When this country entered the first
World War the median age of its popu-
lation was about 25. The present medlan
age. it is disclosed by the Bureau OF the
Census on the basis of 1910 returns,
Is 289
This may mean that some Of the snap
of youth has gone from the population
as whole on the brink of a second
majo emergency.
The median age the statisticians eX-
plain, is that age which divides the pop
ulation into two equal groups hall
Younger and half older 1t usually is about
the same as the average age.
For men the median age shown by
analysis of the 1910 census was exactly
% years. and for women 287 Since
1920. the first date for which age dis
tribution statistics for the whole popu-
lation are available, the median age has
risen steadily from 1877.
The Census Bureau stresses narticu-
larly the changes in the past decade. In
1910. 345 per cent of the population was
under 20 years of age, as compared with
388 in 1880 On the other hand. 6.8
per cent of the people were IS years
old and over in 1910 rs compared with
54 per cent in 1880.
Also. it is pointed out, 597 per cent
were in the age group 20 to 64 years in
elusive in 1910 compared to 557 per
cent 10 years ago In 1910 there were
1856 ,206 persons over 65-an increase of
1922 40l since 1880
The increasing numerical importance
of this age group in the population"
says the Census report, can be seen
readily BY computing the number Of per-
sons 65 years of age and over per 100
persons between the ages of 20 and 81.
In 1910 there were II such old persons, in
1880 only 10
The effects of this very rapid in
crease in the number of old persons are
directly reflected in the current prob
lens of old age assistance and insurance,
consumer purchasing patterns and the
! problems Of labor
The gradual aging Of the population
| is explained in large measure by the
decreasing birthrate and improving NOR
tality conditions There were fewer per-
sons under Ave years in 1910 than in
1890 The decrease in the number Of
children five to nine years Of age was
even greater These reflect the low BIRTH
oF denrocCiOr
Another factor contributing to the
rapid aging Of the population during the
past decade is to be found in immigration.
In the past immigrants have been pre-
dominantly younger persons This supply
has been cut off While the older age
groups are swelled by survivors OF pre-
vious waves of immigration"
There were 101l males to every 100
females in 1910 as compared to 1929
in 1880 This is due in part, the Census
Bureau statisticians say, to the age Of
the population and the cessation Of i'm
migration. The death rate of men is
higher than that of women. Consequently
the older the population the more the
! likelihood that the sexes will be equal
lied.
New Hampshire is the oldest of the
States-With 81 per cent of its popu-
lation over IS. Vermont and Maine are
close behind. South Carolina is the
youngest. Only 40 of its people have
passed their 65th birthdays.
The State which is growing old fast
est, however is Florida. whose 65-year-
old population increased 80 per cent in
10 years while the total population was
increasing 29 per cent. Vermont nearly
stood still Nine per cent of its popu-
lation were IS in 1890.
For the Nation as whole the num-
Der over IS increased 35 per cent while
| the population as a whole increased 7
per cent.
| The principle of contract bridge where
by two ambitious bids lead to heavy
penalties has given psychologists a new
way to measure human personality with
| its conflicts between aspiration and
ability, its honest judgments and in
| herent conservatism.
Tests constructed on this basis were
reported to the American Psychological
Association at a recent meeting by DR..
Julian B. Rotter of Indiana University.
Bridge players have long known that the
game threw much light on the characters
of their partners and instinctively have
altered their games depending on these
insights, but the psychological technique
reduces it to mathematics.
The game actually used in the tests
is not bridge but one calling for skill
in rolling ball into a slot. The subject
first estimates how many times he will
succeed in set number of trials. II
he meets or exceeds his own expecta-
tions he is credited with the full score
If he fails he is penalized heavily
Differences in personality, Dr. Rotter
said, are shown by the sequence of bids
The self confidence of some subjects
goes up or down constantly with sue
cess or failure to make bids. Some con-
sistently underestimate their own abil-
ties while others bid high time after
time in the face of constant failure
One advantage Of the test, Dr. Rotter
pointed out, is that it can constantly
be made easier or more difficult by the
psychologist, depending on the person
being examined, and the effect on the
character of experience can be estimated
quite accurately. Most personality tests