Human Efficiency and Levels of Intelligence (Lectures Delivered at Princeton University, April 7,8,10,11, 1919)

Goddard, Henry Herbert

Published by Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1922

About this Item

Hardcover. 7 3/4" X 5 1/2". vii, 128pp. Rubbing, toning, and bumps to covers, corners, and edges of brown cloth over boards. Toning to edges of text block. Previous owner's name in pencil at front free endpaper. Toning to endpapers. Pages are free of marks and notation. Binding is sound. Without some word of explanation the reader might judge that the author of this book thought that intelligence was the sole determiner of human conduct. Such a view is of course inconsistent with the most obvious facts. It happens however, that in the solution of this problem of human efficiency, we are just at present better equipped to evaluate the part intelligence plays, than any other of the psychological factors. It therefore seems worth while to solve our problem in terms of intelligence as though it were the only variable. The other unknown quantities may be considered when the part they play is better understood. Let us solve our equation for x now and leave y and z for later consideration when we shall know as much about emotion and temperament as we now know about intelligence. If mental level plays anything like the role it seems to, and if in each human being it is the fixed quantity that some believe it is, then it is no useless speculation that tries to see what would happen if society were organized so as to recognize and make use of the doctrine of mental levels. Moreover if the views set forth in these lectures are in the main sound then it is quite possible to restate practically all of our social problems in terms of mental level. If, of two jobs each requiring D intelligence, one is more agreeable than the other and hence draws all the D men, the conditions must be evened up as far as possible by changing hours, etc., and then by increasing the pay for the less desirable job. A little experimenting would equalize the two jobs so that all would be satisfied. Doubtless other adjustments would be found necessary. But the great advantage of having every man doing work on his own mental level would prove fundamental. Testing intelligence is no longer an experiment or of doubted value. It is fast becoming an exact science. The facts revealed by the army tests cannot be ignored. Greater efficiency, we are always working for. Can these new facts be used to increase our efficiency? No question! We only await the Human Engineer who will undertake the work. It is hoped that the consideration of the topics of these lectures will help prepare the way for greater social efficiency.(From the Preface). Seller Inventory # 14218

Bibliographic Details

Title: Human Efficiency and Levels of Intelligence ...

Publisher: Princeton University Press, Princeton

Publication Date: 1922

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Good