This book explores the idea that the attitudes and behavior characteristics of many who suffer impaired vision are socially acquired, not inherent in their physical condition. A part of this socialization occurs when the person who has vision trouble interacts with the seeing world in the encounters of everyday life. Another part of it occurs in organizations for the blind. This study is based on a major field research project sponsored by the New York Association for the Blind and the Russell Sage Foundation.

Robert A. Scott was professor of sociology at Princeton University.

From the preface: “This book deals with man as a member of society, and with his behavior of concern to public health. Its aim is to impart in an organized fashion some of the conclusions, of potential significance to public health, that may be drawn from man’s studies of himself as an individual and as a member of society. What is presented represents an attempt to unite theory, research, and practice in a away meaningful to the public health practitioner.”

Andie L. Knutson was professor of behavioral sciences, School of Public Health, and research behavioral scientist, Institute of Human Development, University of California, Berkeley.

This book takes origin from Cornell’s program for research and training in culture and applied science, addressing the question of facilitating the introduction of modern agriculture, industry, and medicine to areas that are deficient in these technologies. Of central concern is the fact that technological innovations are apt to have consequences ranging from hostility toward the innovator to extensive disruption and crisis in the society. More generally, people resist changes that appear to threaten basic securities, that they do not understand, or that are forced on them. This casebook offers actual examples of efforts, both successful and unsuccessful, to bring about a change in some culture, with the desirability of using social science as an aid to technology.

Contributors: John Adair, Anacleto Apodaca, Wesley L. Bliss, Henry F. Dobyns, Allan R. Holmberg, Margaret Lantis, Alexander H. Leighton, Allister MacMillan, Morris Edward Opler, Tom Taketo Sasaki, Lauriston Sharp, Rudra Datt Singh, Edward H. Spicer, and John Useem.

Edward H. Spicer was professor of anthropology and sociology, University of Arizona.

With economic and community development as focus, this book draws on anthropology, social psychology, and the behavioral sciences to develop a theory of the human processes that result in social and cultural stability and change.

Ward Hunt Goodenough was professor of anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania.

The sixth biennial issue of reports on the status of organized activities in social work and in related fields, including 83 signed articles prepared by authorities on the topics discussed as well as a directory of national and state agencies, both governmental and voluntary, related to social work.

A report on conditions and care of mental health patients in the United States, with details on attempts to alleviate the dilemmas faced by large public mental hospitals in different parts of the country.

Otto von Mering, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh

Stanley H. King, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh