452 ILLINOIS STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 



blanks and other types of analysis blanks would avail 

 little. The psychology and motives back of the two, how- 

 ever, are widely different. The present paper will con- 

 sider only the problems involved in self -analysis. 



A survey of printed matter on the subject of self- 

 analysis reveals a chaotic status. Random and discon- 

 nected efforts over a wide field have resulted in no very 

 uniform conception as to objectives, nor how such ob- 

 jectives should be reached. There is practically no 

 standardization of terminology either in education or in 

 business and industry. There are as many plans and 

 forms as there are men with ideas. In the trial and 

 success methods by means of which the many projects 

 have been carried on, however, many helpful schemes 

 have been revealed. Such schemes have aided in stimu- 

 lating more serious introspections and observations on 

 the part of those being rated, as well as to give less arbi- 

 trary and more wholesome points of view to those in 

 charge of administration. Along with the saner admini- 

 stration of systems of self-analysis is the malpractice 

 of those who have no clear purposes in mind, and who 

 interpret results with a degree of finality which is wholly 

 unwarranted. Among the latter class are those who 

 for mercenary motives reduce to absurd formulae series 

 of hypothetical principles which they sell to an unsus- 

 pecting, yet concerned and needy clientele. Such faddists 

 as the phrenologists, physiognomists, etc., are typical 

 of this group. 



Items which may be classed under the heads of "dis- 

 advantages" and "advantages" of self -analysis, with 

 certain modifications and additions, will be taken up in 

 order. The disadvantages in the use of self-analysis 

 fall naturally under two divisions, — first, the disadvant- 

 ages inherent in the blank form; second, disadvantages 

 which result from arbitrary and careless use of the blank. 

 Preeminent among the disadvantages of the first order 

 is the introspective nature of any reactions secured. The 

 introspective process does not yield objective or highly 

 accurate results. This cannot be considered so definite 

 an objection where results are not to be taken at their 

 face value. Since such direct use of results of self 



