Not Synonymous with Speeding Up.

This explanation should serve two purposes, namely, to dispose of the idea that psychology in business means greater effort, and also that it is a subtle move to “speed up” for it indicates conclusively that, under normal conditions, an increase of output is not necessarily the result of “speeding up” operatives. At this point the reorganisation of the Railway Workshops serves to give point to the facts. In this instance methods of work were investigated and, having regard to the application of the mental deliberations or acts of decision, as required when assembling, the lay-out of the work was reorganised so as to make such work more automatic. This simple adjustment was clear-cut psychology in that making decisions means mental strain, and, as such, demands energy which might otherwise be used in production. Moreover it is a time-saving device which increases output without any extra effort or energy.

Finally it should be remembered that, while industrial psychology aims at reaching industrial efficiency, it has no claims on the worker outside the factory, foundry, or workshop, although the worker's leisure is undoubtedly coloured by work shop or factory conditions. In America where standardisation is synonymous with workshop practice the Daily Mail Trade Mission noted that the workers enjoyed their leisure to the full despite the heavy demands on their energy by the work they performed. The evidence gathered showed that it was the scientific direction of effort in work rather than a multitude of labour saving devices which increased production without unduly fatiguing the workers. This also applies to the New Zealand Railways.