SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE TESTS
HELP SOLVE STUDENT PROBLEMS
Method of Minimizing Errors in Intellectual Performance
Needed Says Dr. R. H. Wheeler
By Georgia Stone
“Just as a scientific study of the
method of play in tennis leads to
greater efficiency in that game, so
a scientific study of our mental op
erations can he turned to the stu
dent’s advantage in meeting the
demands of a college course,” said
Dr. Raymond H. Wheeler, professor
of psychology, - in explaining >the
adoption of the intelligence tests
for all entering freshmen students
at the University of Oregon.
“The intelligence test is simply
one of many instruments employed
to help the student adjust himself
to the requirements of an academic
course.”
The use of intelligence tests in
universities is an outgrowth of two
movements, according to Dr. Wheel
er—the use of the group intellectual
tests on adults in the army, and in
vestigations by the National Re
search Council. Recognizing the
country’s needs, the National Re
search Council has been studying
ways and means of assisting col
leges and universities in ifinding
out and in stimulating worthy indi
viduals, who are intellectually qual
ified, to go into research. No
sooner had tests been tried out, sev
eral years ago, than it was discov
ered that they were quite as useful
in helping the student who was mal
adjusted as in pointing out the po
tential expert in research.
“Increasing demands on a student
keep pace with the selective process
as we go from lower to higher edu
cation,” said Dr. Wheeler. “So
there are many students in college
who fail, who should not fail, and
it is not their fault; there are many
who are wasting their time because
they are not making the best - of
their opportunities, as well as many
who could profitably do very much
more than is required of them and
could do it without any physical or
mental strain. Since higher educa
tion is a costly thing, it is felt that
new methods that will promote ef
ficiency and motivate higher types
of work, will be economically as
well as morally justified.
“There is nothing meritorious
about getting a high intelligence
rating, and nothing disgraceful
about getting a low one,” continued
Dr. Wheeler. “Variations in intel
ligence are quite as natural and
should be taken as much a matter
of course as variations in height
or weight. If you weigh 200 pounds
and are husky, there are many phy
sical feats 'y°u oan perform that
'the fellow weighing 100 pounds can
not do, but that does not make you
a better person than the one weigh
ing 100 pounds. The criterion of
merit is not absolute, but propor
tional. It is measured by the ratio
of his actual performance to his phy
sical and mental strength.
“What we need is a means of
minimizing the errors we have al
ways made in predicting intellectual
performance. We also need >an in
strument that will make possible
prediction and guidance where they
have been totally neglected in the
past. It has been shown over and
over again that personal judgments
of intelligence are inaccurate for
the reason that we unconsciously
and almost inevitably allow personal
feeling to bias our judgment.
“Grades are nowhere nearly as
accurate as many people suppose
them to be. Numerous investiga
tions have shown that intelligence
ratings are more reliable than
grades in the prediction of future
success. But it must be remember
ed that no claim of infallibility is
made for intelligence tests, but we
do know that when tests are used
in connection with these other cri
teria, stich as grades and personal
observation, we can predict success,
pass on borderline cases and advise
the student in many ways far more
justly than we can without using
the tests.
“His much-cherished- freedom
avails a student nothing if he does
not have ability, and\ it is cer
tainly an advantage to him to be
so situated that he can exercise
this capacity with the greatest
amount of freedom. Unless he is
treated as an indivdiual case or in
a special group, that privilege can
not be given him. It is to his ad
vantage that we should find him
out early and keep our eye on him
throughout his college course. We
should be able to pick out those
likely to have difficulty with their
college course and help them indi
vidually before they get too deeply
into trouble. We should find those
whose failures are inevitable, not
only saving considerable expense on
their part, but helping them decide
upon a more appropriate type of
education.
“Scholarship committees, disci
pline committees, the deans, advanc
ed standing committees, committees
on special students, all, will find
uses for intelligence tests too num
erous to mention here. The tests
will not be used in eliminating a
candidate for college entrance, but
they will increase our accuracy in j
advising the student after he has
been given a chance whether to,
interest himself further in higher j
intellectual pursuits.
“For example; here is a person
before the probation committee. His
grades indicate that he should be
flunked out. He is a misfit, he lacks
aptitude for his course; it is a
waste of his time and of the uni
versity’s to keep him. Suppose,
however, that his rating is high
and you know he could capably do
the work if something avoidable
were not interfering. Make a spe
cial casei of him, and give him an
other chance, but remove the diffi
culty if possible.”
Testing is only one feature of a
comprehensive program for the
guidance of the student, Dr.
Wheeler pointed out. Among oth
ers are the special placement or
content examinations used in sec
tioning of classes on the basis of
aptitude and previous training, ways
and means of promoting intellectual
^comradeship, keeping character rec
ords, activity records, etc.
“The faculty here decided to
make a small beginning along this
line of educational guidance and to
take but one step at a time, conse
quently for the present, use of in
telligence tests is the only feature
of the entire program that has been
adopted officially,” said Dr. Wheel
er. “On the other hand, it must be
^understood that the usefulness of
tests increases as other features of
the plan are adopted, and "in partic
ular, the feature of sectioning of
classes. This has not been finally
approved by the faculty, except
that the principle has been endorsed.
There are so many mechanical dif
ficulties in the way that it is pos
sible that sectioning will not be
parried out in many departments for
a long time, but it has been carried
out in some departments on the cam
pus for several years. Therefore, as
far as sectionining is concerned, we
are not instituting anything new.
“More than 65 universities are
using tests, and we have made a
very thorough study of the situa
tion, corresponding with more than
45 institutions. Several institu
tions have sectioned classes for
years.
“Dean J. B. Johnstone of the col
lege of literature, science and the
arts, University of Minnesota,
states: ‘As to sectioning classes on
the basis of ability, some of our
departments have done this for
many years, and the practice is
slowly growing. In 1921 the fac
ulty voted to approve such a prac
tice and to encourage departments
to arrange their schedules so that
classes might be sectioned in that
way.’
“Columbia, Iowa and JPrinceton
are other institutions where sec
tioning is becoming a regular prac
tice or where it has been done for
years.
“Before we contemplate very
seriously any extensive scheme for
the sectioning of classes,” said Dr.
Wheeler, “we shall give the first
step a thorough chance to prove its
worth. The success of a testing
program depends ^to a great extent
upon a wholehearted I co-operation
between students and faculty. It
would be a great mistake if any
one conceived the idea that these
departures place additional burden
and restriction upon the student.
As a matter of fact, any guidance
program works for democracy rath
er than autocracy.”
FRESHMEN UNAWARE
OF TORTURE TUNNEL
How many freshmen know that
the Oregon campus has a tunnel
under it? This extends from the
sociology 'building ysouth. acrbss
Thirteenth street, and is of con
crete, about seven feet high and
seven feet across.
The maba steam heating line
passes through this tunnel and con
nects with the various buildings.
When the tunnel was new and the
pipe did not leak a great deal, it
was a favorite initiation stunt to
put frightened frosh in the tunnel.
But nowadays so much steam es
capes that the place is scorching
hot. It is very difficult for
workmen to stay in it long enough
even to make necessary repairs.
The central plant, now, in the
building with the University depot,
was formerly in the sociology build
ing, until moved over a year ago.
There are three boilers in the sys
tem, but only two are now used.
Each generates over 250 horse
power, and they burn from 12 to I
14 cords of wood a day. The #uel
is ground into fine pieces, known
as hog fuel, and is dumped into a
conveyor, which carries it to the
fire-box.
PATRONIZE
EMERALD ADVERTISERS
OREGON DEBATERS LEAD
IS LATEST AGIN REPORT
Final Results of Contest
Delayed By KLX
Incomplete returns for the Uni
versity of Oregon-Stanford univer
sity Tadio debate show the north
ern team to be in the lead, accord
ing to an informal announcement
made by the extension division yes
terday. These include the com
plete returns filed with KGW of
the Morning Oregonian covering
everything north of the California
line since all listeners living north
of that line sent their votes to
KGW.
The reason for the failure to an
nounce the final results last Sun
day morning in the Oregonian as
was originally planned is that radio
KLX of the Oakland Tribune has
not given out its final report yet,
according to the incomplete an
nouncement of the extension divi
sion. All those living south of the
California-Oregon line mailed their
votes to radio KLX. Votes have
been coming in daily. When the
final amounts have arrived in both
the northern and the southern sta
tion the results will be published
in the Oregonian. The extension
division is not certain when this
announcement wijl be made.
The debate wti held during the
spring vacation an Wednesday,
March 25. The University team
assembled in radio KGW, while the
Stanford team assembled in KLX.
The subject was, “Resolved that
the Emmigration Act of 1924 should
be amended as to admit Japanese
on the same basis as Europeans.”
The northern team pointed out
that it would not admit many of
the members of the yellow race into
this country; perhaps three or four
dozen per year. They pointed out
that there was a moral question in
volved; that of shutting out one of
the five world’s greatest powers.
Another point advanced by the
Oregon team was that the act was
passed by a group of politicians in
Congress in the heat of passion.
The Stanford team pointed out
that the Japanese- would not amal
gamate since they were biologically
different from the Americans, inis
was the main theme of their whole
argument.
PATRONIZE
EMERALD ADVERTISERS
CLASSES IN
BALLET
DANCING
For University Women
Postponed on acount of
April Frolic
WILL BEGIN
Tuesday, April 14
7 p. m.
Laraway Hall
KATHERINE
IRVIN STANG
For particulars phbne 163J
MISS SHELLY TO SPEAK
AT GIRLS’ CONFERENCE
Miss Mary Josephine Shelly of
the physical education department,
will leave next week for The
Dalles, where she will attend the
meeting of the Girls’ League. Miss
Shelly will address the girls of The
Dalles schools Thursday, the 18, on
the “Necessity of Physical Activ
ity for the Health of the Body.”
Though the convention is only' a
local one it has become one of the
most significant programs put on
by the secondary schools in the
state. Every year The Dalles high
school sets aside three days for
Girls’ week and for the past three
years the University of Oregon has
been represented by some woman
on its faculty.
The convention is. for the purpose
of discussing such problems as dealt
with sociology, health, and other
matters which deal with vocations
for girls. Miss Shelly will be ac
companied at the convention by
Dean Jameson of Oregon Agricul
tural college and Dean Pitch of
Whitman college.
LUCILE W. STONE MARRIES
P. C. KROHN OF DAKOTA
Announcement has been made of
the marriage of Miss Lucile W.
Stone and P. C. Krohn on March
20, at Bend, Oregon., Mrs. Krohn,
a senior in the school of music, is
the daughter of Mrs. L. W. Stone of
Duluth, Minnesota. Mr. Krohn, a
former student of the University
of Chicago, whose home is in Par
go, North Dakota, is now in the
offices of the S. P. & S. Railway
company in Bend, Oregon.
LAST VODVIL TRYOUTS
TO BE HELD APRIL 17
Krau&e Wishes Additional
Front Stage Acts
April 17 has been set as the final
day for try-outs for Junior Vodvil,
and any acts submitted after that
date will not be accepted, accord
ing to a statement made by Paul
Krausse, chairman for Vodvil.
Daily try-outs are being held at
4 o’clock each afternoon at the
College Side Inn, with the excep
tion of Saturday and Sunday. Re
hearsals for Vodvil are scheduled
to begin April 20.
As the author of the musical
comedy, which was to have been
presented as one of the acts, is not
on the campus this term, no musi
cal comedy will be presented this
APPLICATION
PHOTOS
Best of Work
Tollman Studios
734 Willamette St.
Phone 770
Take it f
From me* j
If you’re hunting around for
the best place to eat
Easter Dinner
—it’ll do you good to make your date for tlie !
Campa Shoppe. All kinds of nice Easter J
surprises! j
MUSIC BY |
11 Jlt-ib Pipers
DINNER SERVED
5:30 P. M. TO 7:30 P. M. |
Be Sure! Don’t Forget—
Easter Dinner at
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Summer Work
Only a few days left in which to join the
Real Silk Hosiery Organization
CALL GORDON WILSON—730
year. Krausse, who will direct the [
rehearsals of the acts, felt that by *
omitting the musical comedy this
year he would have sufficient time !
in which to get the acts into better |
Bhape.
The best act presented at the
April Frolic this evening will be
given as one of the headliners at
Vodvil.
Up until the present time, about
10 acts have been submitted, and
from these the best ones will be se
lected. Additional acts, particu
larly front stage acts, are re
quested.
DR. W. D. SMITH UNABLE
TO MEET WITH TEACHERS
Professor Warren D. Smith, who
is the chairman of the geography
council of the Inland Empire
Teachers’ association, which meets
in Seattle this week, will be unable
to attend. This association com
posed of teachers from the states
MMKiEMEJSlEMEMSJfiJEiSMSJSlSiel3IS
MASQUERADE
SKATING
Thursday,
April 9th
SPECIAL PRIZES
SPECIAL STUNTS
Don’t Miss This
^iHiiiiHinmiiiHmiimiiiiminiiniHiiv'
Cash Prizes for Men
Vanities for Ladies
Admission - - - 30c
WINTER
GARDEN
grarararararararaiBisiaiHraraiBraraiBiHraiiaf
of Oregon, Washington, 'Montana
and Idaho, meets in these differ
ent states in turn.
RADIO LECTURE DELIVERED
BY PROFESSOR SWEETSER
Professor A. R. 8weetser of the
botany department, gave the radio
lecture last night from radio KGW
of the Morning Oregonian. He
spoke on the hundredth anniversary
of Douglas, the great botanist who
came to Astoria just a century ago
Thursday, April 9. On the anniver
sary day he spoke on the same sub
ject at Astoria to a group of Astor
ians.
Rex Shine Parlor
The Only Place to Oet
Your Shoes Shined
Keep Your Floors Fit
Johnson Floor Wax,
lb. can.$ .75
Johnson’s Liquid Wax,
pint ..75
Dancing Wax, large
size .75
Floor Waxers, $1.75 to 3.60
Polishing Mops, 65c to 1.50
Quackenbush’s
160 NINTH AVE. EAST
I
I
Smart Spring Hats
FOR EASTER WEAR
An air cf incomparable smartness marks each of the
models on display at this shop. A quiet, unassuming
smartness of course and for that reason, all the more
distinctive. It is explained by the unfailing correct
ness of line and by the clever use of ribbon, flowers
and ornaments.
Fashion allows perfect freedom of selection for dif
fered types.
on the Mezzanine Floor
Weatherbee -Densmore
LETITIA ABRAMS, Proprietor, Millinery Dept.
Corner 10th and Willamette Lowell Theatre Bldg.*
EAT SPRING ICE CREAM
IN SPRING WEATHER
I
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Doesn't this spring weather make you feel drowsy?
Let our Nougat-Fruit Combination Ice Cream, a spe
cial for spring weather, spruce you up. Order now
for Sunday and make yourself fit for another week of
study and sport.
Eugene Fruit Growers’
Association
8TH AND FERRY PHONE 1480
James Kirkwood
Alma Rubens
Marguerite
De La Motte
Richard Headrick
Walter McGrail
in
THROUGHOUT THE AGES SOME WOMEN HAVE BEEN THE PAWNS OF WEA'.TH
TODAY THEY&JC. THE VICTIMS OP THE MONEY CARRIAGE !
I “GERALD CRANSTON’S LADY”
CHRISTIE
COMEDY.
Inti. News
Le Roy
DEVANEY
at home
on the
WURLITZER
Presented with a New
Stage Novelty Specialty
“Radio A La Rex”
with a company
of Seven Soloists
Special —at 7 :25
Setting 9:30 p.m.
Hear ‘Em
HA!
HA!
HA!
Get in the Laff Line
“40 Winks”
is doing its final
stuff tonight
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