Psychological practice in geriatric problems.
It has been suggested that psychological activities in relation to the psychiatric problems of the aged fall into two categories. Firstly, there are those studies where the main emphasis is upon measurement. The bases of this kind of work are in developmental psychology. Here the investigator may often be concerned to define the status of an individual in relation to some group or groups. These procedures may be less straightforward than they seem at first sight and, since they underlie a good deal of “diagnostic” testing this kind of activity may not, in fact, have the value often accorded to it by some investigators.

Secondly, there are those studies, much less frequently conducted, where the main emphasis is upon manipulation. The foundations of this work are in experimental psychology. This approach is concerned with the specification and interrelation of variables which may influence and change behaviour. Such change may be, but is not necessarily, related to the amelioration of disorder. Even when this method of working does not seem to be directly related to the alleviation of distress there appear to be sound reasons for preferring it to the more static approach first outlined.