PRESCRIBED MOTIONS AFFORD RHYTHM AND AESTHETIC PLEASURE.--The
prescribed motions that result from motion study and time study, and
that are arranged in cycles, afford a rhythm that allows the
attention to "glide over some beats and linger on others," as Prof.
Stratton describes it, in a different connection.[28] So also the
"perfectly controlled" movements, which fall under the direction of
a guiding law, and which "obey the will absolutely,"[29] give an
aesthetic pleasure and afford less of a tax upon the attention.
INSTRUCTION CARD CREATES AND HOLDS ATTENTION.--As has been
already said in describing the instruction card under Standardization,
it was designed as a result of investigations as to what would
best secure output,--to attract and hold the attention.[30]
Providing, as it does, all directions that an experienced worker is
likely to need, he can confine his attention solely to his work and
his card; usually, after the card is once studied, to his work
alone. The close relation of the elements of the instruction card
affords a field for attention to lapse, and be recalled in the new
elements that are constantly made apparent.
ORAL INDIVIDUAL TEACHING FOSTERS CONCENTRATED ATTENTION.--The
fact that under Scientific Management oral teaching is individual,
not only directly concentrates the attention of the learner upon
what he is being taught, but also indirectly prevents distraction
from fear of ridicule of others over the question, or embarrassment
in talking before a crowd.
THE BULLETIN BOARD FURNISHES THE ELEMENT OF CHANGE.--In order
that interest or attention may be held, there must be provision for
allied subjects on which the mind is to wander. This, under
Scientific Management, is constantly furnished by the collection of
jobs ahead on the bulletin board. The tasks piled up ahead upon this
bulletin board provide a needed and ready change for the subject of
attention or interest, which conserves the economic value of
concentrated attention of the worker upon his work. Such future
tasks furnish sufficient range of subject for wandering attention to
rest the mind from the wearying effect of overconcentration or
forced attention. The assigned task of the future systematizes the
"stream of attention," and an orderly scheme of habits of thought is
installed. When the scheme is an orderly shifting of attention, the
mind is doing its best work, for, while the standardized extreme
subdivision of Taylor's plan, the comparison of the ultimate unit,
and groupings of units of future tasks are often helps in achieving
the present tasks, without such a definite orderly scheme for
shifting the attention and interest, the attention will shift to
useless subjects, and the result will be scattered.
INCENTIVES MAINTAIN INTEREST.--The knowledge that a prompt
reward will follow success stimulates interest. The knowledge that
this reward is sure concentrates attention and thus maintains
interest.
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