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The author of this book is chairman of the Department of Psychology and Director of the Personnel Bureau of the Municipal University of Wichita. In his preface he states that the title was chosen 'because the discussion deals with practical normal mental health for the average man'. One gathers the impression that in the author's opinion the activities of the National Committee for Mental Hygiene may not extend into this field, as he says the aim of his discussion is 'in contrast to the drive for mental health for the abnormal individual, so ably launched by Clifford W. Beers'.
The book opens with a chapter on habit which would seem to follow closely the views of William James with all mental life, all human conduct 'habitualized'. In the second chapter, The Breaking of Habit, there is a clear but necessarily condensed discussion of the 'method of the conditioned reflex'. Dunlap's negative method is presented but not very convincingly. Two other methods are offered, the segmental and the attraction. These last are said to be particularly useful in combatting, for example, such unpleasant characteristics 'as carping criticism, pessimism and carelessness' and would seem to be dependent on a strengthening of ego control.
Before proceeding to the major topic of the book, suggestion, the author introduces one chapter on fatigue. This is a good survey of research carried on by various psychologists in the field of industry.
'A good part of this book deals with the explanation and power