CHAPTER 4. 



GENERAL SUMMARY. 



The preceding historical account of psychological examining is outlined by the following 

 chronology, which, in addition to dates, presents the chiefly significant events in the service. 



Section 1. — Chronology. 



PRE-OFFICIAL ACTION. 



1917. 



April 6. — Meeting at Harvard University for discussion of relations of psychology to the war. 



April 10 to 14- — Observation of conditions in Canada by president of the American Psycho- 

 logical Association, with special reference to psychological problems of the war and possibilities 

 of service. 



April 14- — President of American Psychological Association confers with president of 

 National Research Council in Philadelphia concerning plans for psychological service. 



April 19. — Presentation of plans concerning psychological service to National Research 

 Council by president of American Psj r chological Association at meeting in Washington. 



April 21 and 22. — Special meeting of Council of American Psychological Association in 

 Philadelphia for consideration of service in the war and appropriate action. 



May 1. — Tentative plan for psychological examining of recruits submitted to the Surgeon 

 General of the Army. 



May 28 to June 9. — Special committee on methods for examining recruits organized and in 

 session in Vineland, N. J. 



June 10 to 23. — Trial in various institutions of methods prepared for military use by com- 

 mittee. 



June 25 to July 7. — Continuation of sessions of committee on methods at Vineland, N. J. 



July 15 to August 15. — Unofficial trial of methods of psychological examining made in Army 

 and Navy stations. 



July 20. — Substitute plan for psychological examination of recruits submitted to the 

 Surgeon General of the Army through the National Research Council. 



August 1 . — Informal report made to the Surgeon General of the Army, through the National 

 Research Council, concerning results of trial of methods of examining, together with recommenda- 

 tion of methods for use in the Army. 



August 9. — Robert M. Yerkes, president of the American Psychological Association and 

 chairman of the committee on methods, recommended for appointment as major in the Sanitary 

 Corps, to organize and direct psychological examining for the Medical Department of the Army. 



August 17. — Appointment accepted by Robert M. Yerkes and work officially begun. 



OFFICIAL ACTION. 



August 21. — Plan for psychological examining in four National Army cantonments sub- 

 mitted to the Secretary of War in connection with request for authorization of civil appointments 

 for this work. 



August 23. — Authority granted for appointment of civilian psychological examiners. 



September 1. — Instructions concerning psychological examining prepared for issuance to 

 cantonment commanders by request of The Adjutant General. 



91 



