274 
EMPLOYMENT PSYCHOLOGY 
Second, it provides an opportunity to observe the moral 
qualities which the individual develops in the course of 
his work. 
A third and extremely important function which the 
vestibule school serves is to give applicants a certain 
amount of choice in their work. As has been already in 
dicated, one of the most fruitful sources of trouble in the 
selection of workers is the fact that they do not like the 
work for which they are chosen. If an applicant develops 
an emotional aversion for a certain shop or job, it is almost 
certain to result in the loss of that worker. No matter how 
well qualified the applicant may be so far as ability is con 
cerned, he is likely to leave at the first opportunity. 
This is a factor which employers have not taken suffi 
ciently into account. Too often the attitude has been: 
“Here is a job, take it or leave it. Next!” and the result 
of hiring applicants in this arbitrary fashion has been to 
add measurably to the immense labor turnover which 
has characterized industry in general. 
The vestibule school offers a means by which this 
difficulty can be in part overcome. The applicant will be 
hired, to begin with, according to the best judgment which 
the employment manager can bring to bear. He will be 
given the benefit of a physical and psychological examina 
tion, and of a sympathetic interview. After the employ 
ment office has selected an applicant for a particular posi 
tion, he will be sent into the vestibule school to be trained 
for the work of that position. During this period it will 
become possible to determine whether or not the worker 
shows the necessary degree of interest and liking for the 
task. 
In short, the vestibule school is a sort of laboratory in 
which the employee may be handled and observed under