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This small volume, sent out, as the author says, “with the hope that it will advance the profession which stands for intelligence and skill as well as kindness in solving human problems,”certainly furthers that purpose by so clearly defining the field of social work, its scope, aims and somewhat of its methods. The success of any profession depends
largely on the type of individual enrolled in its service. In order to attract to its ranks more and more of the many educated young women of to-day seeking a career, the young would-be profession of social work must establish itself on a scientific basis. One thing of primary importance to attain that end is to define what its function is, and what territory it covers. This Mr. Halbert does in a chart at the back of the book, which is really a skeleton of the text. He divided the field of social work into Society as a Whole, the Family, Medicine, Business, Education, Government, Agencies for Religious and Social Life, and the Fine Arts. Each of these he again divides under Case Work, Group Work, and Organization, showing what method is used in analyzing the material under each head.
It is refreshing to see it pointed out that psychiatric social work deals “with all the psychological factors in any case of maladjustment in society.” Yet in his analysis of its material and again in other groups where it might be of the greatest assistance he falls short of grasping just what its use can be. He speaks too often of intelligence and morals, and too little or not at all of the emotions and instincts which have so much to do with the way a person uses what intellect he has and what “moral” decisions he makes.
He points out quite rightly in the chapter on psychiatric social work, the necessity of understanding the psychology of the normal as well as the abnormal. But he makes it seem dependent on merely changing a person's ideas and mental attitudes. He does not seem to realize the need of understanding that hidden energy of the