Review of De Psychotechniek der Beroepskeuze

Abstract

Reviews the book, De Psychotechniek der Beroepskeuze by J. L. Prak (1925). This is a critical compilation work by a Dutch psychologist, who is in charge of the applied psychological work in the Philips Factories. There is very little that will prove to be new to the psychologist who is well acquainted with the literature on Employment Psychology and Vocational Selection. This book is however an excellent introduction into this field for the layman, or for the psychologist who is not in touch with this branch of his subject. It therefore serves the purpose the author set himself, viz: to give a survey of the field and problems of the psychology of vocational and personnel selection; to demonstrate, with proofs gathered from the investigations of many authors, the value of experimental research methods and precise statistical methods of calculation in connection with such selection; and to warn against the too optimistic belief in so-called intuitive knowledge of mankind. The book is not just a compilation but critical throughout and reveals the author's scientific attitude and practical experience. There is no over-enthusiasm but the exposition of facts in a sound and sensible manner. This makes it all the more valuable as an introductory work, especially as the attempt has evidently been made to be as clear as possible by just presenting the generally accepted outline of what is and can be done, and not entering to any extent upon difficulties which still perplex the specialist. The fact must nevertheless be recognized that even in the critical remarks on the whole the initiated will find nothing very striking or new, so that one does not feel that anything has been added to one's usual point of view. An exception is formed by Chapter 10 and anyone interested in making use of questionnaires in connection with Vocational Selection or Employment Psychology, or wishing to obtain answers from teachers to lists of questions on the characteristics of their scholars for some other purpose, would do well to read this chapter. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)