RECENT LITERATURE

NOTES AND ABSTRACTS

The abstracts and the bibliography in this issue were prepared under the general direction of D. E. Proctor, by Mrs. E. R. Rich, P. T. Diefenderfer, P. E. Martin, and P. P. Boyer, of the Department of Sociology of the University of Chicago.

Each abstract is numbered at the end according to the classification printed in the January number of this Journal.

I. PERSONALITY: THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE PERSON Mental Traits and Heredity.-The extent to which mental traits are independent of heredity was tested in a case of identical twins reared apart. "Intelligence tests" applied to these twins yielded scores very significantly alike, despite great differences in the amount of the formal schooling they had had and other environmental differences dating from two weeks of age onward. The non-intellectual tests-of motor-reaction time, association time, "will-temperament," emotions, and social attitudes-gave results in striking contrast with those of the intelligence tests, in that the twins made markedly different scores in all these_tests.-H. J. Muller, Journal of Heredity, XVI (December, 1925), 433-48. (I, 2, 4.) P. E. M.

Women in Rebellion: A Psychological Study.-Hypostatizing that the low "birth-rate. . . . in cultivated society is a part of the revolt of woman against materialism and intellectualism .." it is urged that most women desire children of their own "to live out the wonderful capacity for personal devotion with which they have especially been endowed."-Myerick Booth, Hibbert_Journal, XXIV (October, 1925), 112-22. (I, 4.) P.B.B.

II. THE FAMILY

The Family and the Law.-Within a fairly recent past a radical change has been brought about in the legal relationships existing within the family group; that is, between husband and wife on the one hand, and parent and child on the other, and in the relationship between the group as a whole and the community of which it is a part. The social worker is attempting, through the new formulation of the law, to point out that the husband and father was never more than trustee holding title for the equitable owner, the true beneficiary-the community, which is now in a position to demand an accounting.—Sophonisba P. Breckinridge, Journal of Social Hygiene, XI (October, 1925), 385-95. (II, 2.) E. R. R.

Integrating the Carol Kennicotts.-The Institute for Co-ordinating Women's Interests looks toward a reorientation of the family, necessitating modifications in the college, the community, and the total economic structure. Adjustments should be considered from the point of view of working mothers as well as of college women.-New Republic, XLV (December 23, 1925), 130–32. (II, 3.) P. E. M.

III. PEOPLES AND CULTURAL GROUPS

The Study of Primitive Races with Special Reference to Forms of Marriage. -We should be slow to force primitive groups to change practices which may be at variance with our own views but are essential to the well-being of the individual, the stability of the community, and the perpetuation of the race. Variation from moral convention should be studied in a scientific spirit in all its bearing upon progress.-E. N. Fallaize, Eugenics Review, XVII (July, 1925), 77–87. (III, 1, 5; II, І.) P. E. M.

A New Interpretation of the Japanese Mythology and Its Bearing on the Ancestral Theory of Shinto.-This article undertakes an investigation of Shinto in the light of survivals of early practices and ideas connected with certain shrines and embodied in ancient literary records. From these it appears that the great deities at the head of the Shinto genealogies are an original sky-father and earth-mother, and that they and their offspring are animistic interpretations of elemental natural phenomena. The precise origin and function of these deities are carefully defined on the evidence available.-Daniel C. Holtom, Journal of Religion, VI (January, 1926), 58-77. (III, 2, 1.) P.T.D.

The Scientific Regulation of Immigration. Of the possible policies of immigration, those of total or absolute exclusion, unrestricted admission, and intermittent admission and exclusion are impossible and impractical. The remaining forms are our present form, which is one of per centum limitation, and that of scientific restriction. This latter consists of a comprehensive and far-sighted view of economic development of the country, is determined by a board with authoritative knowledge of the situation, has a policy of selection on the basis of individual worth rather than racio-cultural selection, effective distribution by making known economic opportunities to those who seek them, a policy of incorporation that conceives of the process of the release of hitherto unused and cramped powers of body and mind, and a generous overflowing of human capacity in an atmosphere of liberty.-Julius Drachsler, Academy of Political Science (Annual Proceedings), X (1924), 116–34. (III, 4.) P. T. D.

Racial Migrations in the Balkans during the Years 1912-24.—The many migrations in Macedonia, Thrace, and Anatolia have produced relative homogeneity in the racial distribution in those areas, thus simplifying political problems which arose from race antipathies. It seems that during the past twenty years the birthrate has scarcely balanced the death-rate, even in districts not directly affected by wars or mass-migrations. Spanish influenza, mortality among the young men in military service, troubled conditions preceding the Balkan wars, malaria, and the low standard of living contributed to this condition.-N. A. Pallis, Geographical Journal, LXVI (October, 1925), 315–31. (III, 4.) P. B. B.

Mixing the Issue in Immigration.-Purely qualitative changes in the affected populations are the most important result of immigration and emigration. If an amelioration in living conditions warrants, the population will increase and take up the slack; if not, it stands still. Immigration and emigration move according to supply and demand, and it is usually the wealth-producing individuals that do the moving. We have been looking at immigration and emigration as presenting a problem of quantitative bearing; however, this is wrong, for the problem they present is one of quality.-Ezra Bowen, Scientific Monthly, XXII (January, 1926), 30-32. (III, 4.) P.T.D.

Have We Food to Feed Our Immigrants?—The two chief intentions of our immigration policy are: the idea that some selected races, peoples, or nationalities are better material for our citizenship than are people of other populations; and the idea that we need no more people in the United States. For future reference let us admit no immigrant who is not actually and demonstrably better than the average American, and also try for new citizens who will raise the food-producing average of the United States.-E. E. Free, Scientific Monthly (February 26, 1926), 77-79. (III, 4; VIII, 2.) P. T.D.

Contrasts between Chinese and American Social Codes.-Chinese and American etiquette differs in many respects. The Chinese code is more elaborate and strict while the American is more direct and expressive. The age of the nation, with the fixity of customs and the degree to which emotions are inhibited, are factors which explain such differences.-Chiang Liu, Journal of Applied Sociology, X (September-October, 1925), 41-45. (III, 6.)

P.E. M.

Courtship and Marriage Customs of the Turks and Greeks.-Among the Turks the parents of the contracting parties take the initiative in finding a mate for their offspring, and each family investigates the character and financial standing of the other. The wedding ceremony consists of the consummation and fulfilment of the contract. Among the educated Greeks there is a movement in the direction of young people's doing their own courting, and the dowry is often omitted. Marriage is more safeguarded and the element of bargaining is more important among the majority of Greeks than among the educated class.-Clarence R. Johnson, Journal of Applied Sociology, X (September-October, 1925), 54-62. (III, 6.)

P. E. M.

Climatic Influence in Some Ancient Mediterranean Religions.-The somewhat scanty mean rainfall of the Mediterranean lands, broken only by the prolonged rainy seasons in the high mountains and by occasional thunderstorms on their slopes during the summer drought, is reflected in the rain functions of Zeus, Jupiter, Jove, Jehovah, and place gods replaced by Zeus in the course of Greek expansion, and in the mountain and hill sanctuaries of these deities.-Ellen Churchill Semple, Scottish Geographic Magazine, XLI (July and September, 1925), 214-21, 257-65. (III, 6.) P. B. B.

IV. CONFLICT AND ACCOMMODATION GROUPS

A Light unto the Jew.-The American Jew, in his abject adhesion to American ways, has nourished the conditions he deplores. The Menorah, stimulating creative work among the Jews, points the way out.-Waldo Frank, New Republic, XLV (December 23, 1925), 135–36. (IV, 2.) P. E. M.

V. COMMUNITIES AND TERRITORIAL GROUPS

The Distribution of Population in the Amazon Valley.-The very wealth and ease of exploitation of natural resources seems to have hindered settlement of the Amazon Valley. Elevations above flood-level but close to navigable streams, climatic fluctuations, market fluctuations in rubber prices, methods of extraction of latex, production of foodstuffs, and ease of land ownership enter into the making of settlements and their permanence.—W. L. Schurz, Geographical Review, XV (April, 1925), 206–36. (V, 4.) P. B. B.

VI. SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Personality Deviations and Their Relation to the Home.-The home has a tremendous power in a child's life, both destructive and constructive. We must therefore bend our energies toward giving parents every opportunity for normal, unwarped development, in order that they may be the splendid factors for good that they should be in the lives of their children.-Sybil Foster, Mental Hygiene, IX (October, 1925), 735-42. (VI, 1.) E. R. R.

What Social Workers Should Demand of Education. The study of biology is advocated to give teachers and pupils scientific orientation and an appreciation of the need of the body for "a balanced normal development." The school, with the co-operation of the family rather than remedial agencies, must correct the ignorance resulting from exaggeration of the desirability of great material possessions.— Ellen Torelle Nagles, Education, XLV (April, 1925), 472-82. (VI, 3.) P. B. B.

Trends of Social Work in the United States.-The National Conference of Social Work has provided a channel for co-operative thinking, and has aided in broadening the field, standardizing technique, formulating aims, and organizing theories, attitudes, and sentiments into movements characterized by institutions and legislation. The emphasis has shifted from relief to prevention, to construction, and the five main trends of interest are institutional, child, family, health, and economic problems.-Ella L. C. Vollstedt, Journal of Applied Sociology, X (September-October, 1925), 25–40. (VI, 6.) P. E. M.

Public Morals and the Newspapers.-Daily exaggeration of the vulgar and criminal aspects of society always appears on the first page of the newspaper. What is being asked is that they receive no more than their proportionate attention. One paper is already reducing the prominence given lawlessness, but on account of possible financial difficulties few others are following. The whole issue is that lawlessness should not be magnified, much less glorified. If the editors want to, they can work out a new method of evaluating and reporting the news.-Paul Hutchinson, Methodist Review, XLII (January-February, 1926), 66–74. (VI, 6.) P. T.D.

VII. SOCIAL SCIENCE AND THE SOCIAL PROCESS

A Policy of Adaptation.-That of the coal situation to meet the present needs and demands. Gradual changes can be brought about without any revolutionary scrapping of the present order. The most practical policy is not necessarily that of aiming at the maximum theoretical efficiency, but it may be better to put up with a somewhat lower efficiency if thereby existing engines and plants can be made use of. This would avoid the extremely high capital costs of the more ambitious schemes.-C. H. Desch, Sociological Review, XVIII (January, 1926), 17–21._(VII, 1.) P.T.D.

An Engineer's Suggestion.-In regard to the present coal situation, the writer visualizes the super-power station of the future as being one that will supply industrial gas in bulk, electricity in bulk, at high pressure for power and at low pressure for electrolysis, and electric furnaces and the by-products that are available from coal, including smokeless fuel. This implies a policy of regional planning for the provision of facilities to induce the gathering of industries requiring electricity and heat-energy in bulk in suitable locations around such super-power stations.-E. K. Scott, Sociological Review, XVIII (January, 1926), 22–27. (VII, 1.) P. T.D.

The Planning of a New Coal Field in East Kent.-A plan is here set in motion for securing efficient coal exploitation without its old attendant evils of dirt, discomfort, and discontent. The natural beauties of the district are to be preserved from indiscriminate building and consequent spoliation. The towns are to be developed harmoniously, and to be under one ownership. Although this project is mainly economical, education, public service, social institutions, etc., will doubtless be taken into consideration after the plan is a little more mature.-P. Abercrombie, Sociological Review, XVIII (January, 1926), 35-40. (VII, 1.) P.T.D.

Las universidades con màs de 4,000 estudiantes.-In 1913 there were thirtyone universities in the world having each a student population of over 4,000. This had increased to sixty-nine such universities in 1924. Of these, thirty-six were located in North America, as compared with thirteen so located in 1913. Europe had twenty-nine such universities in 1924, as compared with seventeen in 1913. Large universities are growing most rapidly in the United States. Of the eleven largest universities in the world, all except one (University of Paris) are located in the United States. These point to and prove the enormous cultural development which has taken place in the United States during the last decade. Several maps are included to show the specific territorial distribution of the universities.—Enrique Sparn, Academia Nacional de Ciencias, Miscelanea No. 12. (Pamphlet) Cordoba, Argentina, 1925. (VII, 2.)

"The Stimulus-Error."-The stimulus-error may be considered as the fallacy of supposing that we see what we look at rather than what we see. Owing to the stimulus-error we confuse with the business of living, the business of making a living. It is hard to know or to tell the truth because of this error. One is confused always by misdirected attention to a stimulus which is but an adventitious object, some partial aspect to which one bears reluctant witness.-Maud A. Merrill, Journal of Delinquency, IX (September, 1925), 170-77. (VII, 2.) E. R. R.

An Experiment in Teaching Philosophy to the Whittier State Schoolboys.— Some elementary ideas in ethics and morality were taught to a class of boys (orphans and those who came into conflict with the law) of about fifteen years of age. The capacity of the boys was fully equal to the instruction, and it was not without interest for them.-Kate Gordon, Journal of Delinquency, IX (September,_1925), 161-69. (VII, 2.) E. R. R.

The Religion of the Undergraduate. The normal undergraduate has a religion postulated on faith in the existence of a God, and which consists principally in a Christian code of ethics. Interest in religion comes with maturity, and the normal, care-free youth leading an intellectually hand-to-mouth existence does not stop to meditate on religious things.-Paul Whitcomb Williams, Nineteenth Century, XCVIII (September, 1925), 409–14. (VIII, 2.) P.E. M.

The Social Implications of Prayer.-The very factors of prayer-the worshiper, the deity, and the objects and persons mentioned-have social implications, as do the ways in which prayer can be effective. Prayer can be a token of attachment to a given social group, it can influence the circumstances and state of mind of the suppliant directly; it can influence others indirectly, and is an instrument of social control, while God is a confidant and leader. Prayer is not necessarily antisocial, nor does it always express a shrinking from reality, for it represents organization of experience.-Abraham Cronbach, Reprint from Hebrew Union College Jubilee Volume, Cincinnati, 1925. (VII, 2.)

P. E. M.

Adult Education.-There is a growing tendency for adults to continue their education while earning a living. Adult education has the advantage of voluntary school attendance by students with practical experience, resulting in benefit to instructors as well as to students. Its success will depend upon its freedom from suspicion of uplift.-New Republic, XLV (November 25, 1925), 7–8. (VII, 2.)

P. E. M.

What Makes a First-Page Story?-The first-page story is the story of a personal fight between well-identified antagonists which involves the element of suspense. This explains why the press appears wilfully destructive, why it fails in the creation of intelligent public opinion, and why the newspaper's dominating interest seems to be in sex and crime.-Charles Merz, New Republic, XLV (December 30, 1925), 156-58. (VII, 3.) P. E. M.

The Crisis in India.-India is in the midst of a tremendous crisis. The revolt is not against the British alone, but it is a general revolt against anything and everything, both internal and external, that stands in the way of progress. The British feel this general revolt the most because they are the worst impediment in the path of the progress of India. Sooner or later an armed conflict is inevitable. The awakening of India is of such a fundamental nature that none need long despair of India's taking her rightful place among the independent republics of the world. Basanta Koomar Roy, Open Court, XL (January, 1926), 14-32. (VII, 4.) P.T.D.

Religion in India's Political Psychology. Sculpture, painting, music, literature-art as a whole-philosophy, education have all existed in India of the past chiefly as they have served the ends of religion. The other phases of life have been comparatively undeveloped. Religion enters into all three of the serious obstacles with which the nationalistic leaders have to contend. They are the apathy of the masses toward political change, lack of coherence of action among the Indians, and lastly the Hindu Moslem antipathy.-W. N. Brown, Asia, XXVI (February, 1926), 149-53. (VII, 4.) P.T.D.

The Cultural or Psychological Theory of Society.-The psychological theory of human society is that society is the behavior process which arises from living together. It is a process in which the psychic elements of impulse, habit, feeling, and