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Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1926, Page 2

() NE of the most unassuming, but nevertheless potent influences in industry during the past few years, says a London commercial paper, has been the practical work of the National Institute of Industrial Psychology. The advantage to industry of such psychological investigation as a study of the human factor and the relationship between increased contentment on the part of the worker and greater production have already been pointed out in these columns, and at a dinner given last week by the Institute, and attended by the Prime Minister and representatives of the Government and both sides of industry, the importance of the application of psychology to our industrial life was further emphasised. Among the improvements which the Institute is seeking to introduce in the various factories are beneficial, changes in mental and bodily conditions of work, which, far from requiring legislation, aro well within the power of masters and men to arrange for themselves and to put into execution. The whole field of industrial psychology involves study of such things as lighting, heating, and ventilation. the movement of the body, the cultivation of interest in one’s occupation, thereby lessening the possibility of fatigue, and occupational guidance. There is no doubt that to-day many thousands sterling arc lost to British industry through a failure fully to appreciate the importance of caring for the human factor and to understand how close a relationship exists between the comfort and well-being of the worker. the machine which he operates, and the amount and nature of the work which he performs. The work of Iho Institute has, of course, its scientific as well as its practical side, and not by any means the least important sphere of its operations is that of occupational guidance, which should obviate the waste caused by “misfits” in industry, and should provide for smooth and efficient working by seeing that the round peg goes into tbe round hole.