Salient: An Organ of Student Opinion At Victoria University College, Wellington, N. Z. Vol. 24, No. 4. 1961
The Practical Use of Psychology
The Practical Use of Psychology
This talk of facts brought to mind the remarks of the wise commerce gentleman. I mentioned this question of the use of Psychology.
The Professor pointed out that the Psychologist's task is rendered peculiarly difficult. We cannot talk too much of the practical uses for fear of spoiling our future efforts. People are still suspicious of Psychology; they don't want to think of themselves as guinea pigs. This situation does not occur with say physics or chemistry.
Psychology has as many applications in the community as there are kinds of behaviour that need to be understood, and hence controlled. It will range therefore all the way from an analysis of the best kind of reading dial in the cockpit of an aeroplane to the study of the mentally ill. These are examples among many.