44() PK.VCTICAI. APl'LR'ATIOXS OF MODERN PSYCHOLOGY. 



of position, such as was done to some extent in the Air Force 

 and other branches of tlie Forces during the War. 



As an outstanding example of the great influence of those 

 psychological studies on factory life may be mentioned the big 

 changes brought about by " fatigue-study " and " motion- 

 study." It was noticed that considerable time was lost, output 

 kept down, fatigue increased and dissatisfaction resulted from 

 the unnecessary bending about of a machinist at his bench to get 

 the appropriate tools for his task. The motions necessary for that 

 particular occupation were closely studied, and the tools were 

 arranged in a case in front of and above the bench. Unnecessary 

 bending was thereby avoided, fatigue minimised, and manual 

 operations facilitated, while the output was increased and the 

 workman more satisfied with his consequent higher wage for 

 more results. The arrangement of the tools is reached in the 

 same waj' as the arrangement of the keys on a typewriter. Those 

 more frequently used are most accessible, and the sequence is 

 closely studied. It should also be noticed that " fatigue- 

 studies " have revolutionised the arrangement of time-tables in 

 factories as in schools. Shorter periods of work, more frequent 

 short rests in those occupations where this is possible, are 

 proved to produce greater output and increased interest, and 

 consequent higher satisfaction. It is also proven, I think, that 

 rushing through " and " overtime " will be avoided by the 

 employer who considers the efficiency of his workmen. 



It may not be out of place to direct our thoughts at this time 

 to the prevalent industrial uni-est in the world. It is possible that 

 a large part of the cause of this is to be found in the strain of the; 

 years of war; but the general natural wish for self-improvement, 

 the clamour for knowledge and power, the need for a fair wage- 

 basis, etc., are also largely responsible. There can be no denying 

 tliat in the past many instincts have been bottled up within the 

 labourer. He was regarded as an automaton, set to do a certain 

 task with little or no intelligence required in its performance. 

 Employees are often to be found who neither know nor want to 

 know the purpose of the works in which they are engaged. As 

 soon as they finish their work they know that they will 

 receive their pay, and so be able to provide for the meagre 

 requirements of their families. They are too often regarded as 

 mere machines, fed by a weekly wage in order to produce a 

 certain amount of work ; but the time for this is now past. — at 

 all events for the European. The instincts which have for gener- 

 ations been bottled up are now pushing their way to the front 

 of the workman's mind; but their actual presentation is often an 

 inversion of the original instinct. Both employers and employed 

 really know that they are not themselves without blame ; but 

 they refuse to recognise the facts. For long years inasters have 

 imdei-paid their men, made them work for long hours in un- 

 healthy conditions, and turned a blind eye to their social and 

 family life; while, on the other hand, generations of hard living 

 have produced in the workmen mental instability, sensitivit}', and 



