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“The Principles of Applied Psychology can be read by the intelligent layman [or physician] whose interest has been whetted by the common reference to the present period in history as the psychological era… This survey should have something of value to contribute to the vocational counselor, the industrial engineer, and the personnel officer in whose fields the human component looms larger with every passing day.” This statement by the author sets the keynote of this college textbook.
Professor Poffenberger is internationally known for his excellent experimental work and judicial writing in the field of applied psychology. The present volume is a successor to his “Applied Psychology,” first published in 1917 and revised in 1927. A comparison of the content of these three editions indicates the tremendous progress made in the application of psychological principles to industry, education, advertising, the court and the law, and to medicine during the past quarter century. Chapter headings such as, “Work and Rest,” “Rating Human Qualities,” “The Role of Character in Adjustment,” “Advertising and Selling by Radio,” “Causes of Criminal Behavior,” and “Psychology of Jury and Judge” indicate something of the scope of this book.
Of special interest to the psychoanalyst and the physician are three chapters entitled “The Prevention of Disease,” “Psychology in the Diagnosis of Disease,” and “Psychology in the Treatment of Disease.” Professor Poffenberger's attitude and treatment of these topics is eclectic and judicial. He deals with the principles involved rather than the application of those principles to individual cases. His comments on psychoanalytic theory are not too penetrating or complimentary. His remarks on psychoanalytic therapy and treatment are fair, although many analysts would insist that a more complete exposition would be desirable. The author does emphasize the more recent developments in psychosomatic medicine and points out the connections between applied ps