Review of Reading difficulty and personality

Abstract

Reviews the book, Reading difficulty and personality by E. Gann (1945). The reviewer states that in an introductory discussion of reading disabilities and the causative factors involved, the writer stresses the view that the whole personality is involved in reading behavior and that there is a dynamic relation between the reader and the meanings he derives. One should seek, therefore, evidences of difficulty in the adjustment of the personality in relation to reading. The statement that personality disturbances invariably accompany reading difficulties, however, is not strictly accurate. The hypothesis to be tested: "Dynamic processes in the personality organization which determine its means or types of adaptations are related to, and influential in the reading experience. These processes are associated with or may be responsible for the difficulties or retardations." Personality patterns of retarded, average and superior readers were compared. Personality was measured by the Rorschach Test and an inventory. The author depends upon published statements that their reliability and validity are adequate. Other rating scales and interest inventories were devised but were not evaluated for either reliability or validity. In the reviewers opinion, the author has made a contribution in giving added emphasis to the factor of adjustment difficulties in reading disability. But unfortunately she has gone far beyond her data in discussing the implications of her findings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)