Review of: The Human Problems of an Industrial Civilization

• Published in: Psychological bulletin 1934-04, Vol.31 (4), p.275-278
• Main Author: Kornhauser, Arthur W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Business and Industrial Personnel; Civilization; Employee Attitudes; Human; Industrial and Organizational Psychology; Occupational Stress; Radical Movements; Social Change; Social Issues
• ISSN: 0033-2909; 1939-1455
• DOI: 10.1037/h0066874

Reviews the book, The Human Problems of an Industrial Civilization by Elton Mayo . In the eight brief chapters of this book, the author offers sketchy but richly suggestive thoughts on some of the deep-lying problems of our industrial society. The first half of the volume is devoted to empirical studies of fatigue and morale among industrial workers; the second half describes and interprets the larger picture of social change and disorganization involved in the industrial revolution. The author has not attempted a systematic or exhaustive analysis. He is content to indicate a promising line of investigation, a novel direction of thought, a plausible interpretation. There is little comparison of views or critical evaluation of evidence. This all means that the book is spirited and stimulating rather than close-knit or convincing. The chief value of the book lies not in any constructive practical conclusions and only very slightly in technical contributions to method or knowledge in the field of industrial psychology. What it does do, however, is depict a range of challenging problems in the social psychology of industry. The lesson it impresses is this: To understand the industrial worker one must see him in relation to the whole social process. Toward the understanding of that relationship, the author offers rich and penetrating suggestions.