Practical psychology;

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VOL. V NEW YORK, DECEMBER 15, 1922 No. 12
PSYCHOLOGY has to do with the op-eration
of the mind. The mind directs
human conduct, whether consciously, sub­consciously,
or unconsciously. Hence, it is
the mind which causes a person to do or
refrain from doing a certain thing.
There has been much reference during
the past few years to psychology. Men of
glib tongue explain, on the slightest provo­cation
and in a most profound way, how
this, that, or the other thing is a matter
of psychology. The golfer is fond of
falling back on it when excuse is needed to
account for his failure to properly execute
a certain shot. He explains that there was
nothing about the shot which was difficult
from a physical point of view, but that his
mind played a trick on him and kept him
from translating good intent into satisfac­tory
performance.
Business has taken psychology into the
fold, and played it up strong as an element
of scientific operation. The theory of its
use is founded on the idea that if it is pos­sible
to determine how the human mind
will react to certain stimuli, it will be
possible to determine what action is
likely to follow. Thus, advantageously
armed with knowledge of what Smith
will do, Brown plans his course of action
accordingly.
The theory is interesting, but it is predi­cated
on the assumption that the mind will
work in a cold and scientific manner. It
takes no account of emotions. What
Smith would do if his mind were free of
emotions and acting only on the business
problem is one thing. What he will do
when his mind is seething with anger, born
of a blow to his pride, of humiliation, or
with resentment of any kind is a variable
with which psychological practice must
reckon. It is difficult to predict what a
man will do when he is "seeing red"; when
his mind is so engaged with that process
that he loses sight of the point at issue.
Practical psychology is perhaps less
scientific, but it is more human. The
practical psychologist respects the feelings
of the individuals with whom he deals. He
studiously avoids giving pain; on the con­trary,
he seeks to give pleasure.
The essence of practical psychology is
found in the Golden Rule; in the words of
Charles Reade, "Put Yourself in His
Place"; in the spirit of the present holiday
season, "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to
Men."
Practical Psychology