Letter: A proper role for psychology

Sir: Wendy Lawson (letter, 20 September) is of the opinion that 'psychology is incapable of predicting behaviour with any accuracy at all' and goes on to make the baseless assertion that 'most psychologists would admit this'.

She makes the common mistake of believing that because psychology cannot predict all human behaviour then it can predict none, which is a bit like claiming that bookmakers cannot know their business because the favourite does not win every race.

In our own branch of occupational psychology, assessment methods make it relatively easy to predict those most likely to succeed in a particular job, as well as predicting those who are virtually certain to fail. Such methods are demonstrably superior to the use of an interview alone and can be critical when considering senior management appointments.

Yours faithfully,

TIMOTHY ST ATHER

Managing Director

Foxx Associates

London, SW13

20 September