PSYCHOLOGY IN INDUSTRY 



Statistical inquiries showed a positive relation between 

 accident proneness and high blood pressure. Of course no 

 man known to have excessively high blood pressure is 

 permitted to operate a street car; the danger from a stroke 

 is too great. The men we studied had a higher than normal, 

 yet not dangerously high, blood pressure; yet during 1926 

 they had had two and one-sixth times as many collisions 

 as other men of similar age and experience. Significant 

 associations were also found between freedom from acci- 

 dents and such variables as age, experience, and operating 

 efficiency as measured by automatic recorders of "coasting 

 time," the time when neither brakes nor power is applied. 



Studying the Motorman and His Job. To make an analysis 

 of the motorman's occupation, I myself operated a street 

 car. Another member of the staff operated one until he had 

 an accident. He also, with stop watch in hand and a 

 stenographer by his side, observed in detail the operation 

 of many motormen in starting the car, "notching up" 

 the power, approaching intersections, rounding curves, 

 crossing switches, responding to signs of danger in com- 

 plicated traffic, applying the air brakes, opening and closing 

 doors, calling station stops, answering questions, making 

 change, helping cripples or fat old gentlemen on and off, 

 changing ends at the terminus of the run, setting the proper 

 signs, inspecting equipment, replacing a burnt fuse, and 

 meeting the many emergencies that arise from time to time 

 while operating in congested traffic. Still another staff 

 member went through the regular course of training, 

 making a full record of duties, activities, and difficulties. 



Among the many points brought out by these studies it is 

 sufficient here to cite a few. A motorman needs to be capable 

 of distributing his attention broadly, so as to grasp the 

 whole changing situation. He must know and recognize 

 promptly minute signs of possible danger, such as a little 

 smoke coming from the rear of an automobile parked 



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