[Review of the book Analysis of Secretarial Duties and Traits

Abstract

Reviews the book, Analysis of Secretarial Duties and Traits by W. W. Charters and Isadore B. Whitley. A very thoroughgoing job analysis has been made for a vocation that to all appearances would almost dishearten all attempts at a precise analysis. It merits reading not only for the information pertaining to secretarial work but as pointing out methods through which others interested in similar analyses of unstereotyped vocations may hope for success. The weak thread in the book is that it has been necessary, of course, to depend entirely upon human judgments of the presence or absence or amount of traits possessed by secretaries. The remarkable uniformity of results on some traits may reflect greater value to these judgments than the psychologist feels warranted in granting them. So, too, the attempt to determine the traits in terms of actual actions and performances furthers their utility. There is much material in here for those interested in vocational education. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)