PAGE SIX Social Science Defended By LEN KRAUSS (This is the last in a series of articles on the status of the so cial sciences.) The topic of hard-to-control variables in social science has, in the opinion of many, tended to negate experimental results. Dr. Sidney Siegel, research pro fessor of psychology, said that in! behavior studies, conducted un der laboratory conditions, these "hard-to-control" variables are ; not so hard to control. lie said that a physical scien tist might have an impossible time controlling such (human) veri ables, but the skilled psychologist would find it considerably easier. IN THE BOOK "Bargaining and, Group Decision Making," co-au-' thored by Siegel, he points out how the variables in a number of experiments were controlled. This did not happen at the out set of experimentation, he said, "but after we learned that extra-: neous variables were involved,' Fresh Tasks Kenneciys to By DOTI DRASHER "I have always aspired to be someone who lived in the turn ing to fresh tasks."—Robert Frost Penned on a 3-cent postcard from their daughter, this quote typified the John C. Kennedy's attitude in their deci sion to join the Peace Corps. The "fresh tasks" which caught the Kennedys interest were the ideas of living in a different culture, aiding people who are "really eager for the help" and the non-military proj ects of the Peace Corps. John Kennedy, 57, and his wife, Miriam, 54, are probably the old est persons yet to be selected for Peace Corps service, THE NON-MILITARY nature of the projects especially interested them since both have been life long members of the Society of Friends, a pacifist religious group. The Kennedys are training here on campus in an intensive seven week program with 160 volun teers for the Philippines project. The Kennedys and the other volunteers will serve as teach ers' aides in rural areas of the Philippine Islands. The volunteers will help with EngliSh and science in the elementary schools. MR. AND MRS. KENNEDY, both of small physical build, knew the adjustments to the new cli mate and culture would be great but they felt they had "kept in shape" over the years since they farmed 15 acres of land around their home as a secondary occupa tion. Before even going to the Philip pines "we first had to make many adjustments at home almost in stantaneously," Mr. Kennedy said. They rented their home for two years and lie was granted a leave of absence from the college where he taught for two years. Mr. Kennedy taught English and was registrar for 30 years at Oberlin Music Conservatory and Liberal Arts College in Oberlin, Ohio. THE KENNEDYS were told they are setting an example for Acommo -101 dations to inspect and . compare \ All rooms with hot Si cold run ning water or private bath , . . maid service . inner-spring mattresses ... Television . . . Parking . . . Ceiftral Location ... Quiet for rest and Study. Call Mrs. Cox AD 7-7792 or AD 7-48.50 THE Colonial —itioid 123 W. NITTANY AVE. Weekend Accommodations for Family & Friends, including Football Weekend we were able to control them to a point where the margin of error for predictions of future outcomes was negligible." Commenting on social science data, Siegel said that this infor mation is sometimes gathered from such -things as uncontrolled interviews or questionnaires, and here the material gleaned may not be accurate, but with a combina tion of this type of study and the more important laboratory study, good results can be obtained. THE LABORATORY, he said, does not necessarily have to be a room; for example, one study was conducted with a portion of Stan-! ford University campus as a "lab -oratory," the variables were con- I trolled there as in any other lab-' oratory. To say that a behavioral science is not a science because it cannot predict things like the actions of men like Khrushchev or Castro is, in the same sense, saying that physics is not a science unless it has practical utility. And this, Siegel said, is an er Attract Corps ;other older qualified persons who i may now be encouraged to sign. !up for Peace Corps service. Although their "name's the same" as the President, Mr. Ken !nedy said he "has had the name a lot longer than the President." !He said that the name is fairly common and he "had met other 'John Kennedys" over the years. Ag Agent Gets Leave Richard A. Bailey, associate county agricultural agent, has been granted a leave of absence from Sept. 16 through Sept. 15, 1962. He plans to study for a master of science degree at Rutgers Uni versity. SUMMER COLLEGIAN, STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA roneous definition of science; when the experimentation can be applied it often becomes engi neering and not science. Siegel said that a scientist first makes a prediction (drawn from theory) about some phenomenon, then he carefully experiments and gathers data, and if his data turns out to support his theory, that theory may be given more weight than some other theory. "WE, IN PSYCHOLOGICAL re search here, do not ever consider the possibility that a theory we develop will ever have practical value. "Once an application has been found, it is usually the job of an `engineer' or applied technician to piece together the data and apply. it practically," he explained. The physical sciences have had a considerable "head start" on the ;social and behavioral sciences, he !said, but "we are gaining rapidly in the development of our meth ; ology and the field these days is (some maze of mathematical models of which approach the rigor of those of the physical scientist." SALE MEN'S SUITS All lightweight washable and tropical weight suits are substantially reduced for clearance. Wide variety of patterns and sizes. Formerly Now 39.95 29.75 45.00 33.75 55.00 41.75 65.00 48.75 rd # 4 9 \ , v MEN'S STORE STATE COLLEGE New Monument NEW ALCOHOLIC OBELISK was erected yesterday in the West Halls quadrangle by some energetic students who appar ently felt that the Mall obelisk needed some company. SENIORS who will receive bachelor degrees on AUGUST 26 MUST HAVE PORTRAITS TAKEN For the 1962 LA VIE 1 1 , \ ,j Before Graduation At Studio Of Infinity Enterprises, Inc. 319 W. Beaver Ave., State College, Pa. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays thru Fridays Women wear white blouses or white sweaters. Men wear dark suits. ties, and white shirts. Portrait Charge: $1.92 plus tax NOTE: Any 1962 graduate desiring to have LaVie portrait made now rather than during rail Term may do so. THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1961 Mather to Speak `At Chapel Service IThe Chapel Service speaker, •Dr. William C. Mather, professor of sociology and head of the de- Ipartment of sociology and an thropology,l will give the sermon `"The Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Life of Man" at 9 a.m. Sun day in the Helen Eakin Eisen bower Chapel. , The summer term choir, di rected by Mrs. Willa Taylor, will !sing "Arise, Ye Servants of God" by Jan Sweelinck and "Like as the Hart Desireth the Water :Brooks" by Herbert Howells. tle As A 13RfelE... That's howyou'lt feel when you've made a start on an adequate life insurance program. Many new plans, especially attractive to cot• lege students, merit your ton• sideration now. Life insurance is the only invest ment which gives you a combina tion of protection and savings— and it's excellent collateral for the future. We'd welcome the cop:dimity to teH you more about some of theratestpetkiesandinnovations available to you. Just phone or stop by to see us. George A. Borosque, Jr. Robert A. Szeyller 103 East Beaver Avenue ADams 8-9421 PROVIDENT MUTUAL We Insurance Company of Philadelphia
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers