The experimental determination of mental discipline in school studies / by Harold Ordway Rugg.
- Harold Rugg
- Date:
- 1916
Licence: In copyright
Credit: The experimental determination of mental discipline in school studies / by Harold Ordway Rugg. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![material contained in these studies, and the transcription of their essential features on the large plates.* Following the more obvious methods of organization, the studies are grouped under three main heads: (a) studies dealing with memory abilities; (6) studies deal- ing with sensory, perceptual and associative motor habits; (c) studies dealing with the specific processes involved in certain schoo] subjects. We proceed at once to an analysis of the experimental literature. Prior to any experimental study of mental abilities and the transfer of improvement in their training, psycholo- gists gave us a few physiological studies of so-called ‘transfer’ in the case of bilaterally symmetrical organs. These studies have sometimes been quoted as offering evi- dence bearing on the problem of mental discipline. The writer believes, with Thorndike, that the argument by analogy for the transference of training of mental abili- ties, based on these physiological studies, is an improper one, and does not contribute to the solution of our prob- lem. As Thorndike says: “The phenomena of cross-edu- cation are an interesting chapter in experimental psy- chology, but are not fair samples of the general facts we seek.” From Table I it is clear that only within the past decade has any attempt been made to study mental discipline by *It is recognized that in the organization and transcription of so complex a mass of data the chance of occasional error is large. It may be said, however, that the collection of material and the or- ganizing and lettering of the plates have been carefully checked several times. It is believed that all errors of consequence have been eliminated, and that the student may safely use the presenta- tion as a definite and comprehensive guide for the study of the ex- perimental literature of transfer. The work has been done with the recognition of the fact that the investigations permit only partially the definite type of classification represented by these plates and tables. The presentation is to be regarded only as a device to aid the student in formulating his information.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b32846782_0024.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
