Research for or by the Armed Forces

Abstract

RESEARCH in the field of mental adjustment in the Armed Forces consisted of (a) selection studies which used tests mainly of the paper-andpencil variety to appraise the emotional stability of servicemen and (b) studies which attempted to make the same assessment on the basis of psychiatric interviews, situation tests, and other screening procedures. The use of the Rorschach in evaluating military personnel was discussed by Linn (134) in a study in which Rorschach records obtained from a group of enlisted men assigned to a hospital were compared with performance ratings a year later after eight months of overseas duty. Responses given by well-adjusted soldiers were markedly different in many respects from norms based on well-adjusted civilians. The hypothesis was advanced that personality constriction and regression were produced by military indoctrination. A group of papers on the construction, standardization, application, and results of research on the Cornell Indices and the Cornell Word Form, included a report by Mittlemann and Brodman (159) suggesting that the Cornell Service Index, Selectee Index, and Word Form were designed to differentiate quantitatively individuals with personality and psychosomatic disorders and to facilitate qualitative diagnosis of these disorders. A report by Weider and Wechsler (261) discussed the results of the application of the Cornell Indices and Word Form, the criteria of significant answers, and validity data. Wolff (266) indicated that with their basis of clinical experience and psychological and psychiatric principles the Cornell instruments might be used at induction stations, clinics, neuropsychiatric wards, and medical and surgical wards in hospitals, or in industry, veteran placement, research, and hospitals and clinics in civilian work. Harris (78) discussed the use of the Cornell Selectee Index as an aid and timesaver in