Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 5.djvu/549

 STUDY OF WOMEN CRIMINALS 533

Sociology' needs some system of exact measurement to render its theories trustworthy and its concepts of practical value.

The method used in obtaining the results herein presented was to arrange the laboratory in some quiet place within the institution. With the cooperation of the matrons, such inmates were tested as were desirable and obtainable. The confidence and consent of the subject had to be secured, for they were extremely suspicious and superstitious of any investigatioa, especially where instruments were used. The measurements could not be made compulsory in any case. In the presentation of the details I shall give the test, its method, result, and com- parative value, so far as I have been able to ascertain it. Where it has been possible to assign any reasons for existing facts, and where they have grown out of the investigation, I have appended them.

The first test given was that for memory. This consisted in reading a series of ten numerals. The first series contained four figures each, as 2835 '< the second, five, as 27914 ; the other, six ; etc.; each series increasing in length. Immediately after the read- ing of each the subject was required to write them down as she thought they were read. This was continued until the point was reached where she committed three errors, transposed, substituted, or omitted a figure. This point indicated her ability for memoriz- ing. When this was secured, the same test was repeated, only letters, as xvkr, vlpxs, were substituted for the figures. The letters were given for the purpose of preventing any advan- tage to those who had had special training in numerals, as mathematicians and bookkeepers.

The results show that the students possess much better memories. Where the memories of the criminals approximated to those of the students, I found them to possess superior educa- tions. The courtesans had the most defective memories, the thieves and murderers being several grades higher. The rea- sons suggesting themselves for these differences were : the diffi- culty and hesitancy, due to defective education and lack of practice, with which the delinquents formed their numerals and letters. This withdrew the attention from the memorizing,