Review of Handbook of industrial psychology

Abstract

Reviews the book, Handbook of industrial psychology by May Smith (1944). The preface states that "this little book is not intended to be a detailed chronicle of psychology from the industrial standpoint, but to provide an introduction to the subject for those who are in some way responsible for others, or who have to get on with others." According to the reviewer, neither psychologist nor lay reader would feel after reading this book that his supervision or understanding of workers had been improved. American psychologists will be left wondering whether industrial psychology in England lags far behind than in America or whether the author has inadequately presented work accomplished in her country. Lay readers who note the author's defensiveness in the preface with regard to general acceptance of industrial psychological research, are likely to conclude that the fault lies with psychologists for having devoted the major part of their time to insignificant problems. In the reviewer's opinion, as a whole, the book will be disappointing to American psychologists, and the field of industrial psychology will be disappointing to lay readers who judge the field by the book. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)