Childhood: Rachel Stutsman. Tests for Children of Pre-School Age. Genetic Psychology Monographs, Vol. I, No, I, January, 1926.

Here we have clear evidence of the amount of influence that may be exerted upon children subjected to psychological tests at an early age. The children vary in age from 18 to 71 months. It is difficult to see that much real scientific interest can be attached to a research of this kind when we read in the pages of the book itself statements such as the following: 'As long as the examiner was able to maintain an attitude of delight and interest in the tests, there was no difficulty in inducing it in the child, ' and 'children as a rule enjoy answering the questions, if they are given with skill by the examiner, who should be, at least apparently, bubbling over with enthusiasm for the "game."' We feel that it is more an investigation of the suggestive influence of the examiners than any true test of the child's performance ability. It seems scarcely to be wondered that many of the children indulged in 'tantrums' during the tests or threw the apparatus on the floor when we are told that tests were continued for as long as 30 to 45 minutes. A young child should not be expected to concentrate upon one thing for such a long span of time.