278
EMPLOYMENT PSYCHOLOGY
almost certain to prevent an individual of this kind from
getting into the wheels of the organization. And if there
is any possible way in which to make use of a chronic
misfit, the systematic methods of the vestibule school
would be much more likely to find it than the haphazard
stabs of the main office.
We have discussed the detection and correction of
negative qualities. As has been pointed out, the negative
qualities are very often merely the reverse side of latent
positive qualities. They may be due to the fact that the
worker is assigned to work which is not really suitable.
The vestibule school offers a splendid opportunity for
discovering such misfits and for adjusting them properly.
For example, if a pupil is assigned to the work of indexing
and card filing, she may show inattention, dullness, and
general dissatisfaction. If she is transferred to the work of
correspondence filing, these negative qualities may entirely
disappear and the pupil become enthusiastic, deft,
and cheerful. The vestibule school, therefore, provides an
opportunity for discovering and eliciting the positive moral
qualities. Initiative, determination, patience, tact, amiability,
and many other desirable moral traits reveal
themselves during this period and immensely facilitate the
process of assigning new employees to permanent positions.
The prolonged and careful observation made possible
by the vestibule school also makes it easier to discover
those finer differences between personalities which play so
large a part in the selection and retention of employees.
A great number of workers is required for routine work,
work which requires speed, accuracy, and many other
good qualities. However, the employment manager and
the various department heads are continually on the
