MENTAL ATTITUDE AND SCHOLASTIC WORK. 673 



uncontrolled diet. The unfavorable subjective impressions are appli- 

 cable more particularly to the transitional periods and bear with very 

 much less force upon the period of maintenance. The prime object of 

 this study is to note the capacity for physical exercise of a squad of 

 men whose body-weight has been materially reduced by previous 

 dietetic restriction and who are subsequently given calories for mainte- 

 nance. Our evidence, more particularly the subjective impressions, 

 clearly indicates that during the periods of low energy intake, i. e., 

 transition periods, the capacity for effective work was materially 

 lowered. That there was not a pronounced indication of a lowering 

 both in the pedometer records and in the activity records is surprising. 

 All four indices of capacity for physical exercise are concordant in 

 showing that at the periods of weight maintenance the members of 

 Squad A, who were not a selected group of prime athletes, lived normal 

 lives, and performed as much physical exercise as was carried out by 

 their colleagues who were not on reduced diet. 



MENTAL ATTITUDE AND SCHOLASTIC WORK. 



The food reduction used for Squad A in this investigation may be 

 regarded as a major change in the diet of these men. This reduction 

 was continued for a relatively long time; the men lost approximately 

 10 per cent in weight and in general lived at this lowered level for 

 about 2 months; certain striking physiological changes resulted. The 

 introspection and comments concerning the diet and physical activity 

 have been presented. From the mental side, also, certain general 

 questions suggest themselves; (1) What was the character of the 

 psychological environment for this experiment? (2) What in general 

 was the mental attitude and disposition of the men during the experi- 

 mental period? (3) As college students, how did the men of Squad A 

 progress in their studies during the months when they were on reduced 

 rations? 



Regarding the first two queries, we have only the comments of the 

 men themselves and of their instructors and other associates. Con- 

 cerning the scholastic work there is the added evidence of term grades 

 given in the different courses and under the different instructors. It 

 is difficult in the introspection and personal impression material to 

 make a clear separation between that which relates to physical condi- 

 tion and performance on the one side, and mental ability, disposition, 

 and attitude on the other. In fact, no inflexible boundaries can be 

 set. For purposes of analysis, however, we may look at personal com- 

 ment from the two points of view. In the following notes we have 

 entered those things which seem to relate particularly to the psycho- 

 logical or mental side. There is a very minor amount of duplication 

 between these notes and those given under the heading of physical 

 activity: 



