THE OBSERVATIONAL METHOD 2Jg 
tirely unlike set of ideas and notions about human nature, 
so that his manner of interpreting observed signs will be 
quite different from the practice of his predecessor. These 
facts have already been sufficiently discussed in the 
introductory chapter. There is, however, one more 
variable factor in the observational method which has 
not been discussed but which is very important. 
According to the experience of the writer, and according 
to the testimony of various employment experts, there is a 
very strong tendency at times to become entirely oblivious 
to the appearance and actions of those who are being inter 
viewed. The process of hiring becomes at such times al 
most wholly mechanical. The mind of the observer be 
comes almost a blank, and all faces take on the same 
general appearance. The differences in dress, actions, and 
appearance which served as some guide to the interviewer 
before seem to fade into a dim haze, as if the observer had 
become intoxicated with too much gazing. The sole re 
maining thought is to fill the necessary requisitions as 
expeditiously as possible. This phenomenon has been 
Verified by the experience of employment experts who 
have interviewed thousands of people, and, although 
apparently fantastic in the extreme, becomes only nat 
ural upon second thought. It is inevitable for the mind 
of the observer to become tired and confused toward the 
end of a busy morning or afternoon. And at such times, 
it is no longer possible to see the distinctions between 
applicants which were plain before. When this condition 
arises, employment degenerates into mere routine and 
an enormous number of costly mistakes are made. 
In spite of the large number of weaknesses which the 
observational method possesses, and even though it is 
thoroughly unscientific in its method or rather in its lack