Social intelligence more useful than brains - Journal of Chemical

Social intelligence more useful than brains. J. Chem. Educ. , 1928, 5 (1), p 114. DOI: 10.1021/ed005p114. Publication Date: January 1928. Cite this:J...
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At the same time the experimental hasis of the theories is given as exactly as possible. The first two chapters cover the "Atomic Theory" and the "Theory of Electrolytic Dissociation," mainly in historical fashion. The new theory of "complete ionization" is not mentioned. Chapter 111, "The Election in Chemical Combination," describes such matters as the measurement of the electronic charge, polarity of valency, and oaidationreduction changes. Chapter IV, "Complex Compounds" indudes much of Werner's theory, while Chapter V describes the "Periodic Table." Chapter VI covers "The Constitution of the Atom," but much more of the same sort of material comes in Chapter VII.

"The Periodic System of the Elements," Chapter VIII, "Structure and Properties of Certain Compounds" and Chapter IX, "The Radioactive Elements." Chapter X covers "Atomic Weights and Isotopes." The reviewer considers this little book a distinct addition to the literature of chemistry. The treatment is accurate, although not in all cases quite up t o date; moreover, i t leaves the reader with the feeling that he would like t o know more of the subject. Perhaps the title of the book is, for American readers, a little misleading. As the review shows, i t is really a hook on the "Structure of the Chemical Elements and Their Compounds." W. H. C ~ A P I N

Social Intelligence More Useful Than Brains. Success or failure in life is very largely determined by the ability to get along with others, and in no trait do people differ mare than in this ahility. Dr. Fred A. Moss, of George Washington University, declared recently in reporting latest experiments in social intelligence before the American Psvcholoaical - Association. Columbus. Ohio. A test of social intelligence, devised by Dr. Moss, has heen given t o several thousand individuals. The highest possible score on the test is 160 points, and the highest record so far made is 145, scored by a college boy who expects t o go into politics. Executives who took the test scored the highest as a group in this ahility t o react intelligently t o social situations, Dr. Moss found. The median, or middle, score for the group of executives was 117. Teachers made 112, salesmen 107, clerks and stenographers 95, sales clerks 81, nurses 78, and low-grade industrial workers 65. Dr. Moss's test measures the individual's judgment in meeting social situations, his ability to appreciate the mental state back of spoken words and back of facial expressions, his understanding of human motives, and his ability t o remember names and recognize faces. The scores indicate that ability to get along with other people may he developed, unlike mental ability, which is generally believed t o be unchangeable. High-school students scored only 83 on the test, while college freshmen made 104 points, upper classmen 114. and graduates 116. Although not designed particularly for that purpose, the test seems t o he useful in predicting school success, Dr. Moss said. I n many subjects the teacher grades his students largely according t o his personal estimate of their knowledge and ability, and in these subjects it is often better t o know the instructor and his pet interests than t o know the general subject-matter of the course, be pointed out. The student who has a keen social understanding, therefore, is likely t o make better grades than the one who blunders in understanding and dealing with other people.-Science S~M'CC