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EMPLOYMENT  PSYCHOLOGY

possess  the  necessary  ability.  This  is  due  to  the  fact  that
they  are  not  conscious  of  their  ability,  and  lack  that  bit  of
extra  energy  which  might  enable  them  to  put  themselves
to  the  test.  In  cases  of  this  kind,  the  psychological  examiner ­
  is  in  a  position  to  suggest  to  his  subject  that,  beyond
a  doubt,  he  possesses  the  necessary  ability  for  success.
In  several  cases,  the  experimenter  has  suggested  to  a  subject ­
  who  did  well  in  the  tests  but  whose  work  was  not  so
satisfactory  that  he  could  unquestionably  make  good
if  he  only  would.  However,  it  was  inadvisable  to  do  this
during  the  course  of  experiments  which  were  being  conducted ­
  precisely  with  the  view  of  finding  the  value  of  the
tests  upon  which  such  a  suggestion  was  based.  It  remains
as  an  interesting  field  for  experimentation  for  some  one
to  discover  to  what  extent  the  power  of  suggestion  may
neutralize  or  augment  the  natural  differences  between
individuals  as  shown  by  tests.  In  the  meanwhile,  it
seems  safe  to  prophesy  that  the  development  of  tests
which  make  it  possible  to  discover  the  innate  and  acquired
faculties  of  individuals  will  at  the  same  time  provide  a
more  scientific  basis  for  the  employment  of  the  powerful
stimulus  of  suggestion.  And  by  accomplishing  this,
another  great  contribution  will  have  been  made  to  the
process  of  selecting  individuals  who  are  adapted  for  their
work  both  mentally  and  morally.
SUMMARY
The  scope  of  psychological  tests  has  been  discussed
largely  from  the  standpoint  of  their  limitations.  It  has
been  pointed  out  that  the  extent  to  which  tests  may  be
applied  is  determined  by  three  conditions:  (i)  An  understanding ­
  on  the  part  of  the  psychologist  of  the  work
to  which  they  are  to  be  applied  in  order  that  he  may