Human relations in action kProblems and Cases in Dealing with People

This book represents over 20 years of active search with a view to providing a guide for discussion groups seeking better understanding of human capabilities, habits, and attitudes. The resulting selection of subject matter for its functional value is one of the distinctive features of the book.

The second distinctive feature is the "multiple-case" method of arrangement and presentation of materials, which is more effective than the lecture, the quiz, or the uncontrolled conference. "Multiple-Case" this connection refers to the presentation under each topic of a series of cases embodying the principles involved for thorough consideration. Group members then add cases from their own experiences.

The term case refers to brief, pointed incidents that focus attention on particular principles, facts, or phases of human reaction; also to terse quotations of types of thinking in order to accomplish specific purposes.

1. The first advantage of this method is that students of widely differing background profit by joining a discussion group to interchange specific cases and to take from the discussion the ideas he is best equipped to assimilate and put to effective use.

2. Again, the multiple-case method makes it easy to avoid offering approved solutions for specific problems, and group members thereby soon learn that no rule-of-thumb may apply, but that real facts must first be obtained. Then applying well established principles to these cases, they can think their way through to a logical solution.

3. The third advantage is that a group is a real laboratory in human relations. A member acquires the habit of searching out facts and principles to check his conclusions. He listens at entively, thinks clearly, and respects the opinions of others. Thus he practices self-control, straight-thinking, and tolerance.