Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 5.djvu/548

 532 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

When describing such characteristics as homeliness and repul- siveness in the lowest classes, the effect of clothing, cleanliness, etc., must be considered, as deficiency in these particulars ren- ders even a normal individual unattractive.

The other measurements, not referred to in detail, are those which I have devised for other results than a comparison with Lombroso's.

We now turn to a consideration of the psychological tests. These included tests for memory, color-blindness and color pref- erence, qualities, sensibility of the skin, taste and smell, hearing, sight, fatigue, pain, precision, respiration, and association of ideas. So far as the writer is aware, this is the first attempt to secure a series of such measurements from female delinquents, and to compare the results with those from a different educa- tional and social stratum of society. The series used was designed for the purpose of testing the five senses, the capacity for perception, coordination, and adjustment. The series was necessarily more incomplete than the writer desired. This was due to the complexity and bulk of psychological apparatus, much of which must be excluded in fitting up a portable labora- tory, and to the fact that with the delinquent classes everything must be as simple as possible, so as not to arouse too great a suspicion and antagonism.

The purposes of this investigation I conceive to be three :

1. If crime is the result of the way in which the individual functions in society, and he adjusts himself by means of his senses, perceptive and coordinating faculties, what differences exist in these between the criminal and the normal individual who adjusts himself better ? Are there defects ? If so, to what are they due ?

2. Can psychology aid in the knotty problem of the influence of heredity and environment in producing crime ? Will psy- chology reveal the defects, and will the environment, which includes the cultural and educational influences, account for their existence ?

3. The closer union of psychology and sociology, thus rendering the latter more worthy of a scientific standing