Mind and Mine
MENTAL WELFARE 19 :Type: Book Reviews and Abstracts :Author: Raymond B. London. George G. Harrap and Co., tcl- 1934. Pp.314. Price 7/6 net.
on pre are several reasonably good text-books tychology for the elementary student ^ wou^ be hard to think of any one the a comPrehensive view of thatV field), but there is a real lack of books st Can be recommended to the man in the a]j - Who wants to know what Psychology is as<, ?ut! Dr Cattell’s new book is written t an account of Psychology for the Inquiring shoIilari an<^ ^he ProsPective Student/’ and the become a popular book in every sense of vv?rd. It is comprehensive, up-to-date, and *? read- ^ might be argued that it is too p y and likely to lead the Layman to think that ych?iogy itself is an easy subject.
of tjG auth?r’s method is to unfold the progress ty psychological research by describing the snr. ?f well-known Psychologists in their Vl fields.
for ?pening chapter discusses the ” Search Mind in the Nervous System ” and makes ^or the general reader the results of ky Head and Lashley which it would be i cult to find elsewhere in easily compre- Med form.
^le two following chapters on Abilities the ^ earches of Binet, Spearman and Terman are fussed. Dr Cattell is a convinced adherent int i ? ” factor School ” and other theories of ^Uigence are not discussed.
4n i succeeding chapters deal with instincts , ^ emotions, and the psychopathology of /Way life. The most fundamental theories js ^reud are described at some length, and there c, a brief account of Adler’s views. In a long P aPter on ” The Complete Architecture of n laracter ” the author finds in McDougall’s tj e?ry of instincts and sentiments the explana- j0ri that makes sense of the Psycho-analytic Q?ctrines. A chapter on ” The Mind out of .ear ” deals with the exaggerated forms of ^ rrilal mechanisms, and discusses the relation eUveen the normal and the abnormal. ?j, then follow two interesting chapters on n^perament and Psychological types in which e researches of Pinard, Stephenson and the tHhor himself from the standpoint of the Factor 0f ??1 are discussed, as well as a brief account the theories of Berman and Kietschner. It ?uld be difficult to find elsewhere the results of recent investigations on these lines explained in such a clear and balanced account for the general reader.
The book concludes with a chapter on the applications of Psychology to education, industry and social problems. It is, in the re- viewer’s opinion, the best of the book and will probably be found the most interesting by the enquiring layman. Here, as might be expected, the outstanding names are those of Burt and Myers, and throughout the book it is good to see that the work of British Psychologists is given due recognition, which may in some measure redress the balance of most American books of this type which do them less than justice.
There are, of course, in a book of this nature several points of detail which any particular Psychologist might question, but the size of the book naturally precludes any but the briefest discussion of different theories.
Dr Cattell is careful in his explanations and illustrations to appeal to the everyday experi- ence of his intended readers, who should find the book interesting and valuable. The comments on the social implications in particu- lar, of modern psychological theory are always pertinent.
It is likely that some readers will be irritated by the style of writing which seems needlessly journalistic at times. It is surely unnecessary, in order to make a popular book, to imitate the technique of a special correspondent describing some new scientific discovery for a popular newspaper.
The book is very fully illustrated, and the photographs and diagrams will probably be found helpful by most laymen to an understand- ing of the text. There is a good index, but it seems a pity that the prospective student is given no suggestions for further reading and study.
A.H.D.T. Heredity Mainly Human. By Eldon Moore. Pp. VIII + 343, with 37 diagrams, 10 in colour. London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd. 1934. Price 15/-.
Heredity is a subject that attracts perennial interest not only amongst those whose work brings them into contact with its operations, such as physicians, social workers and adminis- trators, but also amongst lay people generally. During the last thirty-five years this field of biology has seen intense activity and an enor- mous literature has been produced. The subject has become very complex and it is difficult even for the specialist to follow all its ramifications. While there are admirable works of a technical character and also books that include excellent summaries of inherited abnormalities in man, it is far more difficult to find books that deal simply and also adequately with the whole subject in a way that the layman can understand. Works that attempt this task tend either to be too academic and assume too much knowledge on the part of the reader, or else, by omitting and minimising complexities, give an impression of false simplicity. The last danger is the commoner and the most confident opinions are often expressed that are based on a knowledge of genetics that would have sufficed thirty years ago, but which ignores all that has been discovered since.
The task of presenting the science of heredity adequately and at the same time simply is one of the most difficult in the whole of biology. The author of this book approaches it with admirable qualifications. Starting with a thorough grasp of the principles of the subject and with a wide knowledge of the literature, his experience as Chief Officer of the Imperial Bureau of Animal Genetics, and as Editor of the Eugenic Review, have made him thoroughly familiar with the problem of presenting the science of genetics to the layman. It must be said at once that Mr. Eldon Moore has been notably successful. It would be difficult to find a more lucid account of the phenomena of Mendelism. As the theme is developed a host of interesting topics have been introduced. The difficulties and complexi- ties have not been evaded but have been squarely faced with the determination to express them in the simplest possible form. The chap- ters dealing with inheritance and mentality will be found especially interesting, particularly the chapters on inheritance of great ability and on twins. The chapter 011 amentia is open to some slight criticism. The author has given a very full account of some valuable families investi- gated by himself, but this is not adequate sub- stitute for a comprehensive review of the sub- ject, which in fact is treated very briefly. The chapters on Lammarkian experiments and on alleged racial poisons are trenchant and ad- mirable. There is a valuable appendix which presents original work on the numerical propor- tions of social classes and distinguished men. Mr. Eldon Moore has performed a notable ser- vice in producing a book which is authoritative and comprehensive and at the same time won- derfully simple and straightforward. The P P fessional biologist will find it an exceU v account of the subject, but in particular it 0 0 be confidently recommended to all those vV^0 without being professional biologists, wish g familiarise themselves with this important asp c of biology. J. A. F. | The Health of the School Child. An11*!. , Report of the Chief Medical Officer ?f ; Board of Education for the Year, 1933. j Stationery Office, 1934. 3/- net. I ] Particular attention is paid in this Report the Chief Medical Officer of the Board of cation to the importance of good nutrition a11 I to the recent developments in Physical Train1 in the schools.
Undernourishment is due, not only to aC^tj starvation or shortage of food but can freq11^1 ly be traced to improper feeding, fatigue, hygiene or disease. Amongst nearly 2,000,^ children medically examined in 1933, 11 1 Pji thousand were found to be malnourished a11 lui^ 3valept 12.8 per thousand undernourished and requn treatment. There is no evidence of preval ^ or increasing malnutrition but, as was to expected, there are patches of serious und nutrition due to unemployment in certain 01 tricts or amongst certain groups of persons.
into The Milk Marketing scheme which came operation this year should do much to help combating this particular weakness. The headings of the scheme are set out in the Rep0 (p. 28). As in the provision of meals, the Pr?, vision of daily milk (free of charge) is decioe by medical selection and a standard of incoJ which is adopted by individual Authorities. j is true that the under-nourished child does 11. always come from the poorest family, but mllC can be done by urging all parents to allow tlie^ children to receive meals or milk at school ofl small payment. . I The Report goes on to deal with PhyslC^ Education (Chap. II). Much credit is given the revised Physical Training Syllabus for tj1 development of keenness in this subject on tj1 part of Authorities and of teachers and for W subsequent benefit to the health and happy ?u, look of school children. Head Teachers rep0 that since suggestions in this Syllabus have beeI^ carried out, the children are more alive a*1, alert; faulty posture which has hitherto passe unnoticed has been corrected and, an importa11 point, parents are taking a far greater intereS in the physical development of their children.
Vafa^aph from the Report will show how I of e is the awakened interest in this branch Ration:- (p. 37) 8rou i re s no doubt that the modern play- chj^ ^esson’ full of action and movement, with preg rei1 lightly clad, high spirited and eager, hav^ v!S an ^tractive spectacle, and the parents ?Pd ? clu^c^ t? appreciate the value of such aClf0 unities. Their interest can be turned to tyg Unt in many useful ways?appropriate gar- hov S are forthcoming, suitable shoes are some- tUs Pr?vided; not infrequently sets of appara- etc’ Urdles, jumping stands, bats and sticks, fath’ are made and presented by an approving er’ It is hardly necessary to add that the esti 6S *his co-operation cannot be over- deD^ted. Co-operation between the different i^j^ftients in the school is also a practical Wo j Worthy of note. In many schools the ann ?rk centre is making much of the simpler jjgg^tus needed in modern lessons, while in the art’ i ?rk classes the girls produce special San? ^ress needed for physical exercise and p- ?s> and bags and other containers for ap- ‘he r S Thus, for example, it is reported by ou Glamorgan County Organiser, that numer- al- sets of netball and pillar ball stands, stool- . wickets and target-ball targets have been the ^ ^e boys attending for instruction at ^anual centres.”
d r ealing with the education of the mentally t0 ?!^1Ve child (Chap. XI), reference is made he Wood Report of 1929 and to the effect 0utS?me of its recommendations. This Report set chilff P?kcy ?f treating both certifiable and dull ^ uren as one unit for educational purposes. Sc,e abolition of certification for children of def??l a?e was advocated so that all mentally j^ctive children should come under the Ele- ?a aty School system. This recommendation ty e some Authorities the impression that there tjjjS no longer any use for Special Schools and ^ s mistaken idea has led to the Special School ? ^modation in some areas not being used to asVull- This is much to be regretted and, tie Chief Medical Officer points out, the Wood $ /^tttittee did not recommend that Special cl^?1s should fall into disuse, nor that defective Vji~ren should be left in the elementary schools th any proper provison being made for eiii. They recommended various types of ^,Clal provision, of which the existing Special ??ls (possibly under another name) should W0lle ^orm?n?t only for the certifiable child for the less retarded or dull child. The changes in legislation necessary to carry out this recommendation have not been made, but there has undoubtedly been a definite movement made in establishing some special arrangements for educating retarded children within the ele- mentary schools, particularly in areas where Iladow reorganisation has brought into existence schools where there are two to three classes in each age group and there are enough children to warrant making provison for a minority.
In the past Special Schools have been in- spected only by the Medical Branch of the Board of Education. From September, 1934, the district Inspector for Elementary Schools took over entire responsibility for the educa- tional inspection of day special schools for mentally defective children (as well as those physically defective, partially sighted and par- tially deaf). It is hoped that this arrangement will help to prevent Special Schools from be- coming isolated from other schools in their area.
Voluntary Sterilization. By C. P. Blacker. Oxford University Press. London. 1934. Pp. 145. 5/- net.
This is a frank plea for the legalizing of volun- tary sterilization and is written by the secretary of the Eugenics Society who has done probably more than any other single individual to further the movement in this country. It is written for the doctor and the layman?but more especially the latter?and aims at helping him to come to a decision on a matter which is coming more and more in the sphere of everyday politics.
It is the least pretentious and probably the most useful book on the subject that I have read: brief, relevant, forcible, frankly biassed ?but tactful. As the title indicates, the volun- tary principle is stressed.
There are nine pithy chapters and a useful appendix summarising recent continental and American studies on the inheritance of mental deficiency.
Chapter 1 deals with the history of the move- ment in this country up to the drafting of a Sterilization Bill by a Joint Committee organized by the Council of the Central Association of Mental Welfare in 1934. Chapter 2 describes the sterilising operations. The next chapter dis- cusses the uncertainty in interpreting the law with regard to sterilization. Chapter 4 deals with hereditary defects and diseases both physical and mental.
Chapter 5 deals with that most difficult group, the Social Problem Group. It is sug- gested that to deprive this large group of facilities for voluntary sterilization after they have had all the children they wanted is to dis- criminate against the poor.
The sixth chapter summarises the state of sterilization in other countries and suggests that the German Act of 1934?and the atmosphere amid which it was born?has hampered rather than helped the legalizing of sterilization in this country.
Chapter 7, in discussing the pros and cons of voluntary and compulsory sterilization, sug- gests that compulsion in any shape or form is foreign to British sentiment and likely only to attach a stigma to the operation.
The eighth chapter deals with safeguards against abuses. It points out the twin dangers: on the one hand, of people getting sterilized for frivolous, neurotic or fashionable reasons: on the other hand, of people being sterilized against their will. A Nazi state may wish to sterilize those who do not possess the Nordic triad of blue eyes, fair hair and Congenital Honesty; a Capitalist state may ultimately seek to dis- criminate against those who hold Communist views but no job; a proletarian Dictatorship may seek to sterilize those whom an inherited income has rendered incapable of wage-earning.
The safeguards recommended by the Brock Committee are considered adequate.
In the last chapter the objections to steriliza- tion are considered.
It is pointed out that the type of mental defective affected would be the high-grade type who are fit for community life but not for parenthood. Voluntary sterilization would en- able them to obtain legitimate gratification of their sexual impulses in marriage.
It is also suggested that the voluntary sterili- zation of the recovered insane and the high- grade defectives will be a negligible factor in the suppression of possible genius when com- pared to the practice of contraception among the most gifted and most socially valuable individuals. H.H.
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