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CPM in Construction Management, Eighth Edition – Ebook PDF Version full chapter instant download
CPM in Construction Management, Eighth Edition – Ebook PDF Version full chapter instant download
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Architects. He has been an adjunct professor of engineering at Drexel
University since 1979 and at Temple University since 2009; he also taught at
the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Plotnick is a past president of the
Philadelphia chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers
and an active member of the state society, as well as of the American Society
of Civil Engineers, the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering
International, and the American Bar Association Forum on Construction. He
was a charter member and past vice president of the PMI College of
Scheduling. In 2010, Dr. Plotnick created—and now annually hosts—the
Construction CPM Conference.
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James J. O'Brien, P.E., PMP, CVS; Fredric L. Plotnick, Ph.D., Esq., P.E.: CPM in
Construction Management, Eighth Edition. ABOUT THE AUTHORS, Chapter (McGraw-
Hill Professional, 2016, 2010, 2006, 1999, 1993, 1984, 1971, 1965),
AccessEngineering
Customer Privacy Notice. Any use is subject to the Terms of Use, Privacy Notice and
copyright information.
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Acknowledgments
C. Acknowledgments
The writing of this 8th edition has involved the assistance of numerous
individuals who have provided technical advice on the computer software
products discussed, feedback from the field for the case studies discussed,
editorial review to combine the writing styles of the two authors into one
more readable style, and moral support throughout the process of writing
and rewriting and editing and proofreading and publishing. Special
recognition is accorded the following individuals:
The many volunteers and members of AACEi and former PMICOS who have
contributed content and constructive criticism
Jim and Fred dedicate this 8th edition to the memory of:
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James J. O'Brien, P.E., PMP, CVS; Fredric L. Plotnick, Ph.D., Esq., P.E.: CPM in
Construction Management, Eighth Edition. Acknowledgments, Chapter (McGraw-Hill
Professional, 2016, 2010, 2006, 1999, 1993, 1984, 1971, 1965), AccessEngineering
Customer Privacy Notice. Any use is subject to the Terms of Use, Privacy Notice and
copyright information.
For further information about this site, contact us.
This product incorporates part of the open source Protégé system. Protégé is
available at https://protege.stanford.edu//
Introduction to Logic Based Planning and
Scheduling
This introduction discusses some factors that make the case for why
planning and scheduling are best performed by the critical path method
(CPM). It covers some of the history behind the development of CPM planning
and scheduling and relays some thoughts on where the process may go in
the future. The interplay between the theory of mathematics that underlies
the methodology and the modifications needed to make the methodology
more practical is a theme that is woven throughout the text. The reader will
see that it is the scheduler who must balance these two ideals, mathematics
and engineering, to provide a useful and user-friendly tool to the users of
CPM in construction management, manufacturing, and software design, and
to other users of projects that must be finished on time and within budget.
Even at this simple level, not all is what it seems to be. If you are in a hurry,
you might begin eating a portion of your breakfast while still cooking the
rest. If your dry cleaner is open only from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and if your
car is very low on gas, you may have to refuel on your way to work, pick up
your dry cleaning at lunch, and buy milk on the way home from work. If you
have a foot or leg injury, you may need to put on your left shoe first.
If you want to schedule the tasks of two or more persons or the work flow of
two or more machines (even if both are under the supervision of one person),
the process becomes much more complex.
Even the terminology can be misleading. CPM was once noted as a tool in the
process of planning and scheduling. First we must plan, then we can use the
computer to perform the rote calculations (that we understand and could
perform ourselves, given time) to generate the schedule, and finally we must
read the output with a knowledge of the assumptions and tolerances
involved. Today, however, we can purchase software that includes a wizard to
simplify or ignore the need for planning, perform the calculations while
allowing user overrides to generate the features and benefits or "how to use"
your new result, and provide killer report and graphics applications to
display the schedule results.
It is the purpose of this text to teach carpentry and not merely the features
and benefits of software programs or how to use your new power saw. It is
the purpose of this text to teach the process of planning and scheduling by
means of the critical path method of analysis. We can best start by reviewing
how this field of mathematics and engineering was developed.
CPM was developed specifically for the planning of construction. The choice
was fortuitous, since construction accounts for more than 10 percent of the
annual gross national product. Almost every activity and person is affected to
some degree by new construction or the need for it. Most projects are
started well after the need has been established, seeming to follow the
whimsy, "If I'd wanted it tomorrow, I'd have asked for it tomorrow."
One of the keys to the success of CPM is that it utilizes the planner's
knowledge, experience, and instincts in a logical way first to plan and then to
schedule. CPM can save time through better planning, and in construction,
time is money.
The Egyptians and Romans worked construction miracles in their day, and
surviving ruins attest to the brilliance of their architecture, but little is
known of their construction planning and scheduling. Other historical project
managers include Noah, Solomon, and the unknown architect who designed
the tower of Babel. Again, history records much about the construction
details but little about the methods of control.
Many of us make lists of things to do (i.e., a to-do list). Those who are well
organized may make the list in a logical order, for example, a shopping list
based upon the layout of a store or supermarket. Perhaps a fanatic for
organization may first make a list of activities (or, from our example, items to
be purchased) and then copy it a second time to the preferred order in which
it is to be performed. The use of word processing or organizing software
adds a modern wrinkle to this age-old method of planning and scheduling.
However, there are no rules widely published to guide the development of to-
do lists.
If the bar graph is so well suited to construction activity, why look for another
planning aid? Because the bar graph is limited in what information it can
retain. In preparing a bar chart, the scheduler is influenced almost
necessarily by the desired completion dates, often working backward from
the completion dates. The resultant mixture of planning and scheduling is
unfortunately no better than wishful thinking.
When a bar graph is carefully prepared, the scheduler goes through the
same thinking process as the CPM planner. However, the bar graph cannot
show (or record) the interrelations and interdependencies that control the
progress of the project. And at a later date, even the originator is often hard
pressed to explain the plan by using the bar graph.
The general contractor usually prepares the overall construction plan, which
is sensible because the schedules of the other major subcontractors depend
on the general contractor's schedule. Note that in Figures 1.5.1 and 1.5.2 the
general contractor's work is broken down in some detail, with both the
mechanical and electrical work shown as continuous lines that start early
and end late. In conformance with the bar graph "schedule," the general
contractor will then often push the subcontractors to staff the project as
early as possible with as many mechanics as possible. Conversely, the
subcontractors want to come on the project as late as possible with as few
mechanics as possible. The result is that the general contractor will often
complain that the subcontractors are delaying the project through lack of
interest. At the same time, the subcontractors will often complain that the
general contractor is not turning work areas over to them, forcing them to
pull out all the stops to save the schedule.
As in most things, the truth lies somewhere between the extremes. CPM
offers the means to resolve these differences with specific information rather
than generalities. The bar chart often suffers from a morning glory complex:
it blooms early in the project but is nowhere to be found later on. We can
suppose some general reasons for this disappearing act. Prior to the
construction phase, the architect, the engineer, the owner, or all three are
trying to visualize the project schedule in order to set realistic completion
dates. Most contracts will require the submission of a schedule in bar graph
form soon after a contract is awarded. Once the project begins to take shape,
however, this early bar chart becomes as useful as last year's calendar
because it does not lend itself to planning revisions.
Although progress can be plotted directly on the schedule bar chart, the S
curve has become popular for measuring progress. The usual S curve
consists of two plots (Figure 1.5.3): the scheduled dollar expenditures versus
time and actual expenditures versus time. Similar S curves can be prepared
for labor hours, equipment and material acquisitions, concrete yardage, and
so on. Though this presentation can be interesting, it does not provide a true
indication of project completion. For instance, a low-value critical activity
could delay the project completion far out of proportion to its value.
Figure 1.5.3. Typical S curve.
Misuse of bar charts does not prove that they should be discarded. To throw
out bar charts is like throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
In early 1957, the UNIVAC Applications Research Center, under the direction
of Dr. John W. Mauchly, joined the effort with James E. Kelley, Jr., of Remington
Rand (UNIVAC) and Morgan Walker of DuPont in direct charge in Newark,
Delaware. The original conceptual work was revised, and the resulting
routines became the basic CPM. It is interesting that no fundamental
changes in this first work have been made. [3]
In December 1957, a test group was set up to apply the new technique (then
called the Kelley–Walker method). The test team (made up of six engineers,
two area engineers, a process engineer, and an estimator) and a normal
scheduling group were assigned to plan the construction of a $10 million
chemical plant in Louisville, Kentucky.
The network diagram for the project was restricted to include only the
construction steps. The project was analyzed beginning with the completion
of its preliminary design. The entire project was subdivided into major areas
of scope, and each of the areas was analyzed and broken down into the
individual work activities. These activities were diagrammed into a network
of more than 800 activities, 400 of which represented construction activities
and 150 of which were design or material deliveries.
The ability of the first team was such that a larger-capacity computer
program had to be developed for support. By March 1958, the first part of
the network scheduling was complete. At that time, a change in corporate
outlook, plus certain design changes, caused a 40 percent change in the plan
of the project. Both planning groups were authorized to modify the plan and
recompute schedules. The revisions, which took place during April 1958,
required only about 10 percent of the original effort by the CPM test team,
substantially better than the normal scheduling group.
The initial test scheduling was considered successful in all respects. In July
1958, a second project, valued at $20 million, was selected for test
scheduling. It also was successfully scheduled. Since the first two projects
were of such duration that the complete validity of the system could not be
established, a shorter project, also at DuPont in Louisville, was selected for
scheduling.
The third project was a shutdown and overhaul operation involving neoprene,
and one of the materials in the process was self-detonating, so little or no
maintenance was possible during downtime. Although the particular
maintenance effort had been done many times, it was considered to be a
difficult test of the CPM approach.
In the first CPM plan, the average shutdown time for the turnaround was cut
from 125 to 93 hours, and in later CPM applications, it was further cut to 78
hours. The resultant time reduction of almost 40 percent far exceeded any
expectations. [4]
The Polaris fleet ballistic missile (FBM) system was initiated in early 1957. To
manage the program, a Special Projects Office (SPO) was established under
the direction of then Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) William Raborn, Jr..
The SPO is generally credited with having developed the PERT system.
One of the key people involved in the development of PERT was Willard Fazar,
who noted that the various management tools available for managing the
Polaris program did not provide certain information essential to effective
program evaluation. In particular, they did not furnish the following:
The search for a better management system continued throughout the fall of
1957. At that time, the Navy was cognizant of the development of CPM at
DuPont. In January 1958, the SPO initiated a special study to determine
whether computers could be used in planning and controlling the Polaris
program, and on January 27, 1958, the SPO directed a group to undertake the
task of formulating the PERT technique. [5]
The goal of the group was to determine whether improved planning and
evaluating research and development work methods could be devised to
apply to the Polaris program, which involved 250 prime contractors and more
than 9000 subcontractors.
The key difference between CPM and PERT is that one identifies activities of
finite and reasonably estimated duration while the other identifies events of
zero duration separated by "some form of activity," only loosely understood to
be performed within a range of possible durations. The range of durations in
PERT varies from an optimistic estimate (or shortest time until the next event
will occur) to a most likely estimate to a pessimistic estimate. This dichotomy
was understandable since the duration of an activity, relating to a known
quantity of work, was fairly capable of estimation; the duration between
events, based upon a scope only vaguely understood, was much more a
guesstimate.
The theory behind the PERT method was based upon the interplay between
these estimates of duration and the statistical likelihood of a project
outcome, as the actual duration experienced may fluctuate among the three.
However, the early computers of the 1950s and even the 1960s did not have
the necessary speed or memory to fully utilize the theory, and the three
estimates were usually combined into one (often by separate calculation by
hand alongside the computer ) using the formula
where O = optimistic
M = most likely
P = pessimistic
An IBM brochure credited the H. B. Zachry Company of San Antonio with the
development of the precedence form of CPM. In cooperation with IBM, Zachry
developed computer programs that could handle precedence network
computations on the IBM 1130 and IBM 360. This was particularly significant
because in 1964, C. R. Phillips and J. J. Moder indicated the availability of only
1 computerized approach to precedence networks versus 60 for CPM and
PERT. Creation of an alternate format for preparing CPM networks required
new naming conventions to distinguish between the two. The form for
traditional CPM networks was originally termed the AOA or "activity on
arrow" variant of CPM. The form for new-style precedence networks was
originally termed the AON or "activity on node" variant of CPM. In the AON
variant, the activity description is shown in a box (or node) with the
sequence, or flow, shown by interconnecting lines. In most cases, arrowheads
are not used, although this leaves greater opportunity for ambiguous
network situations.
Because the terms "AOA" and "AON" are similar, and possibly because a box
only represents a node to a mathematician, AOA became known as the arrow
diagramming method (ADM), and AON became known as PDM. Often,
specifications copied from older specifications may refer to the CPM being
prepared in the AOA or AON method. A sad reflection upon the care in which
such engineering documents are written is that it is not unusual for a
specification to require the CPM to be prepared using the AOA methodology
and to run the schedule on the latest version of Primavera software (which
supports only PDM).
Many users prefer the PDM format, claiming the PDM diagram is "cleaner"
and therefore easier to follow. The simplifying factor results from the fact
that "redundant" restraints are not required in PDM (as they are in CPM) to
create unique activity numbers (i.e., when activities span between the same
two events).
CPM and PERT are based upon mathematics, and professors of mathematics
were quick to note many of the new insights opened up by this new branch
of mathematics. If an estimate of duration is merely an estimate and subject
to a level of uncertainty, then what might happen if randomly some of the
durations were raised and others lowered? If two or more paths of the logic
network were fairly close, this modification may well shift the critical path
and overall duration of the project. CPM provides a set date upon which a
project is expected to be completed. What is the probability of the project
finishing on that date, on an earlier date, or on a later date? If each of the
durations of activities (in CPM) or between events (in PERT) were randomly
chosen from the optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic durations, we would
get one value for an end date. If we repeat this process 100 or 1000 times, we
get probabilities of completion over a range of dates.
The mathematics behind neither CPM nor PERT permits boolean •OR• logic.
If an activity in logic network A is followed by two other activities B and C, it
is assumed that both can start upon the completion of A. It is also assumed
that B can start independently of C and vice versa, either starting before the
other or both starting at once. In the real world this is not always true;
sometimes you can start B or C but only one at a time (the boolean •OR•).
Sometimes you can perform B and C only if both are performed concurrently.
Sometimes the choice of which can be performed first is subject to the status
(started or completed) of a fourth activity D. And sometimes the choice of
successor is based upon a test: pass and go down one path, fail and go down
the other path. In the case of a failed test, the logic network can even loop
around to retake the test after corrective measures have been made. None of
these possibilities are supported by the mathematics of CPM or PERT.
However, many of these possibilities are supported by mathematical models
envisioned in the 1950s through today and more recently supported (at least
in part) by modern software programs generically noted as GERT programs.
As PERT was the acronym for Performance Evaluation and Review Technique,
GERT became the acronym for Generalized Evaluation and Review Technique.
As of the turn of the millennium, PDM supplanted ADM in the majority of the
scheduling world. And yet, numerous serious practitioners noted flaws in the
implementation of PDM, and many bemoaned the loss of rigor of the ADM
system. A common thread to many of these concerns was that commercial
software tended to focus upon information relating to individual activities
and groups of activities while, relatively speaking, ignoring the restraints
and relationships between activities that had been the hallmark of the
original ADM and PERT methodologies.
The issue was raised to a head in a cover story entitled "Off the Critical Path,"
published in Engineering News Record (ENR), May 28, 2003. In one of the
letters to the editor, written in the aftermath of the article, Jim Kelley (one of
the founders of CPM, as discussed in Chapter 1) wrote:
The 6th edition of this text, largely as a response to this challenge, posited a
new system that addressed many of these concerns. Since the focus of the
majority of these embellishments is related to the relationships between
activities, this is called the relationship diagramming method (RDM) and
meant to be the next level of evolution of ADM to PDM and now RDM.
The fully integrated system that has been developed to support RDM is made
available for general dissemination. In an effort to avoid the balkanization of
many different implementations of PDM (resulting in the same input data
yielding differing results based upon which software is used), an evolving
standard has been established, and developers may choose to have
implementations-determined compliance via a certification mark RDCPM
(further details are available at www.RDCPM.com).
The key aspects of the RDM system are a restoration of identifying events (or
points in time) that were represented by the nodes in ADM (and were the
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Those who failed to be elected felt, of course, various degrees of
disappointment and envy. Some proposed forming a scrub team of
the left-overs. Others were afraid that this would show the “team”
that they were jealous of them; whereas, they had been putting on a
brave front by saying to their classmates that they would not have
accepted a position on the team even if they had been elected.
The entire school grounds occupied about half a city block. This
space had to be shared with the boys and girls in all the other grades.
It naturally followed that there was little space to be used by each
room.
Miss Darnell’s eighth grade ball team girls were anxious to bring
fame to themselves as champion players. Mr. Warren’s thrilling
speech still rang in their ears. His slogan, “We’ll beat ’em!” was
passed from lip to lip. As a result of this enthusiasm, this special
team wished to play ball at every intermission and before and after
school. When they played, the rest of the girls in Miss Darnell’s room
were obliged to keep off the ground allotted to that room. The girls
who rebelled against being nothing but “fans” were called “disloyal to
their own team” or “green with jealousy.” The play periods were no
longer enjoyed by all, but distinct factions arose, consisting of team
and “fans,” and as the team grew more and more determined to use
the grounds at every available minute the “fans” became less and less
enthusiastic in their support.
CONSTRUCTIVE TREATMENT
Mr. Warren did wrong to deprive any pupil of a right use of the
playground or gymnasium.
When teams are formed, limit the time they may use the field and
apparatus so as to accommodate those who are not on the teams at
some time during the day.
COMMENTS
“Now girls, here in the library is Sam’s typewriter. Let’s each write
a part of this so we can all say we didn’t write it and lay it on
Elizabeth’s desk tomorrow.” All were agreed, so one after another
took a turn at writing. After many copies were spoiled they finally
wrote one that pleased them. Each took a turn at addressing the
envelope. When it was sealed they said, “E-ne me-ne mi-ne mo,” etc.,
to find out who was to place this on Elizabeth’s desk. The lot fell to
Lulu Miller, but she would do it only on condition that Sue go with
her and help her place it. The next morning the girls went to school
as soon as the doors were opened. They found nobody in the
assembly room, so they opened Elizabeth’s geometry text at that
day’s lesson. Each took hold of one corner of the envelope and placed
it in the book. Then they returned the book to the desk and went into
the history room where they diligently studied the maps until school
opened.
After opening exercises the four guilty girls watched from a corner
of their eyes to see Elizabeth get her missive. Susan saw her take out
the letter, open it and blush scarlet, while she wiped away tears of
vexation. Soon Elizabeth with letter in hand walked up to Mr.
Davidson’s desk and talked to him a few minutes. When she came
away again she didn’t have the letter.
The girls had not counted upon this turn of affairs.
Before school closed Mr. Davidson asked who put the note in
Elizabeth’s geometry. Nobody answered. He then questioned
everybody one at a time and each answered “No” to the question.
“Did you put it there?” Susan and Lulu tried to think they told the
truth because they neither of them did it alone.
Mr. Davidson said, “All right, we’ll stay right here till we find out
the guilty party.” Some laughed, others pouted and a few who drove
to school from the country looked worried. Mr. Davidson said,
“Somebody in this room knows who did that. I’m sorry to think
anybody is mean enough to keep all of his schoolmates in because he
will not tell the truth.”
Still nobody confessed. Mr. Davidson waited and scolded by turns
until dusk, all to no purpose. The girls’ fear of exposure, to say
nothing of confession, grew greater with every speech he made. He
finally dismissed the school, after saying that he would find the
culprit and suspend him.
Daily Mr. Davidson referred publicly to the note and made threats
as to what he would do with the guilty one. These frequent references
to the affair helped Elizabeth to remember her fault and practically
cured her of it. But the guilty ones were never found out and Mr.
Davidson had four pupils whose joy and efficiency in school work
were greatly diminished.
CONSTRUCTIVE TREATMENT
When you see that a pupil is truly selfish begin at once to treat
him. First find out, if possible, how this trait was developed and then
begin to correct the false notions. Say to the selfish one, “I want you
to study the pupils of this room this week, and tell me of all the
unselfish deeds done that you can make note of, and why you think
them unselfish.” Of course, other pupils will be given similar topics
and the reports, as well as the original requests, will be made in
public. These character studies may be connected with literature in
place of the fictitious personalities which are often studied.
When wishing to find the writer of a note go to work at it privately.
Having once made a threat do not lightly disregard it. Do not give
over to your pupils matters of discipline which you should attend to
yourself.
COMMENTS
Mr. Davidson doubtless knew that Elizabeth was selfish, but took
no measures to correct the fault. Some teachers say they are not
employed as character builders but only as instructors in secular
matters. The truth is, however, that they cannot escape instructing in
morals. Elizabeth was growing more selfish. The question as to
whether character grows during school life is settled. Pupils do
change in character. The teacher has no choice. He either confirms or
breaks up bad habits. The principle of substitution enables the selfish
pupil to grow less selfish by the study and admiration of unselfish
pupils and adults. It is in order to call forth this admiration that the
student is asked to tell why he names certain acts unselfish.
Teachers make mistakes often by publicly announcing a
misdemeanor about which there would otherwise be little known.
Cases where immediate danger does not threaten should not be
made public. Private inquiry is always much more fruitful of good
results. Public confession is especially hard. Furthermore, the
sidetracking of legitimate school interests by much discussion of
misdemeanors can be minimized by letting as few persons as
possible know about the wrong deed.
Threats that are not carried out weaken the teacher’s control.
Patient study and planning will show the teacher a way to cure
selfishness. By judicious observation a teacher can discover attitudes
taken toward a pupil by his schoolmates and these will be of great
value to him in any attempt at corrective measures.
It is doubtless true that the schoolmates often develop a wise and
effective cure for some wrong trait or attitude. In such cases they
may be permitted to carry out their program, without the connivance
of the teacher. But a close examination of the conditions is needful,
so that neglect of unformed characters may not be appropriately
charged against a teacher.
Earl Foley was fifteen years old when he entered high school and
came under the control of its principal, Mr. Mullendore.
Earl was large, with a round face, thick lips, a big mouth and a too
ready smile. He was very active and learned easily, but was
unmannerly and above all, selfish. He invariably selected the best for
himself, stood between others and the teacher, gave his views
unsought, and in many little ways annoyed his teachers and
companions.
Mr. Mullendore discovered that the boy Selfish Manners
simply needed teaching, so he decided that
in his private talks with Earl he would use illustrations easily
understood. He asked Earl one day what famous person he admired
above all others. Finding the man to be Lincoln, Mr. Mullendore
talked of Lincoln’s unselfishness and humility and even asked Earl
what kind of pencil he thought Lincoln would have taken if passed a
box containing one good pencil, and the others second grade, Lincoln
knowing, meanwhile, that all would be used by his classmates. Mr.
Mullendore talked of Earl’s work on the farm and asked him to recall
the practice of pigs, cattle and fowls in getting their share of food. He
asked Earl to study out the cause for the development of
unselfishness in the human race.
All this was said without a single reference to Earl’s own traits. It
seemed a part of the study of Lincoln. Earl was not slow to apply the
suggestions of the lesson, however, and before many months had
passed he was one of the most unselfish pupils in the high school.
(2) Jealousy. Some one has truly said, “In jealousy there is more
self-love than love.” It is an attitude which develops early, however.
Even very young children will sometimes destroy an object rather
than have it fall into the hands of another. As a rule the smaller the
number of individuals in competition and the narrower the range of
their interests the more intense will be the jealousy between them.
The teacher’s problems are complicated by jealousies in two ways:
(1) by a spirit of unkindly rivalry among patrons of the school, a
feeling which is sure to be reflected in the attitudes of the pupils
toward each other, and (2) by a spirit of jealousy arising among and
limited to the pupils themselves.
The first type has been treated incidentally in other parts of
Practical School Discipline and need not be further dealt with here.
The second type, fortunately, is not a very common cause of trouble
in the well ordered school-room, but it is a fault so harmful to the
child himself and in adult life, so harmful to all who come within its
blighting influence, that it can not be too carefully watched and
checked in its early development.
During adolescence and afterwards, jealous attitudes arise mainly
out of sports and out of competition for sex recognition and
appreciation. Jealousy breeds an angry resentment toward a person
who holds or seems likely to acquire one’s property or personal
privilege. It embraces a feeling of fear and a sense of helplessness in
the face of the aggressor. It develops an enlarged appreciation of the
treasures involved and a disposition to care for them by violence, or
if defence is useless, to destroy them.
Jealousy, envy, rivalry and covetousness are only varying forms of
the same anti-social attitude of selfishness. Tact and patience on the
part of parent and teacher and the judicious application of the Five
Fundamental Principles will uproot them all in time.
CONSTRUCTIVE TREATMENT
COMMENTS
June Dacey was a frail city girl whose health was such that her
parents feared to send her to the public schools in New York. One
September morning June’s father said to her: “June, how would you
like to spend a year in the country and attend school with your
cousins?”
June thought it would be, “Just fine!” and Mr. Dacey was not long
in arranging with his brother in Massachusetts to receive June into
his home and to see her well started in the country school.
All went well until June’s cousin Carrie Dacey began to show signs
of jealousy toward June. The two girls were just of an age, but Carrie
was an unusually vigorous, strong, healthy girl with double the
amount of endurance possessed by June. As a consequence the two
girls received very different treatment by their elders and even in a
half unconscious way by the other children who were, indeed,
somewhat overawed by June’s pretty clothes and refined manners.
“O, yes! of course June can have everything and I can’t have
anything,” said Carrie one day in a fit of petulance. “She has all the
nice clothes and I have to wear this old thing. She can ride to the
picnic while I have to walk. The teacher is always doing things for her
and nobody ever does anything for me. At home it’s just the same
way, June gets all the attention.”
Miss Scott, the teacher, happened to overhear the remark,
although it was not intended for her, and was thereby made
conscious of the ill-will that was springing up between the two girls.
She had had no desire to show partiality in any way toward June but
only to protect the frail girl from too fatiguing sport. Now she said to
herself, “This won’t do! We shall have a tragedy here soon! I must
think out some plan to overcome this feeling between the two
cousins.”
It so happened that the children had for their reading lesson “The
Story of the Twins.” The story was full of activity and fun and
mischief and the children liked it. Miss Scott had promised the class
that when they could read it very well they might dramatize it some
day.
“You two girls who are just of an age must be our twins,” said Miss
Scott, “the other children may take the other parts. Mary and Jane,
come help me make this crepe paper into costumes for ‘the twins.’
They must dress just alike.”
The children caught the idea, and, just as Miss Scott intended they
should do, immediately nicknamed the two girls “The Twins.” Miss
Scott strengthened the tendency still further by saying occasionally,
in a playful way, “Will the twins pass the paint boxes for us?” “Will
the twins collect the pencils?”
Carrie was soon quite cured of her jealous complainings. Through
suggestion, the feeling of coöperation and comradeship had been
substituted for the selfish emotion of jealousy, and in thus being
linked together in school duties and sports, in a way, too, that
emphasized the relation of equality, the two children soon became
firm friends.
Wendell Smith was a son of Dr. Smith, one of the most influential
men in the village. He was handsome, well-dressed, well-mannered
and very intelligent. He had delightful books, mechanical and
constructive toys, a bicycle, a watch, and now a few days after he
entered the fourth grade his father gave him a pony and carriage for
a birthday present.
Mark Hazard was in the same grade at Jealous of “Rich
school. Their teacher was Miss Hosiner. Boy”
Mark was a wide-awake boy who was often in mischief. He was
coarse in his speech and manners. He criticized adversely every one
of Wendell’s possessions and was always glad when for any reason
Wendell failed to recite well. When the boys played, Mark would say:
“Don’t ask Wendell to come, he might get his clothes dirty.” When
Wendell missed the word “giraffe” Mark whispered sibilantly, “He
can spell ‘pony’; that’s all the animal he knows.”
Miss Hosiner knew that Mark disliked Wendell and felt sure that
jealousy was at the bottom of his sneers and coarse remarks, but she
didn’t know how to bring about a change.
There was a pool of muddy water near the back door after every
rain. This was spanned by a plank over which the children walked to
the playground.
One day Mark and Wendell were both on the plank when Mark
deftly tripped Wendell, who fell splash into the muddy water. Had
Mark used common courtesy Wendell would doubtless have laughed
at his own plight, but when he looked up to see Mark’s sneer as he
said sarcastically, “Now you’re some dolled up ain’t you?” he said,
“Mark Hazard, you’ve got to smart for this.”
Miss Hosiner had seen it all from the window and understood the
situation perfectly. She went to the door and said, “Wendell, you may
go home and change your clothes; Mark, you may go in and take your
seat and you may have all of your intermissions alone for a week. As
soon as you come in the morning, and at noon, you may take your
seat at once. I will allow you a separate time for your recess from that
of pupils who know how to behave toward each other. Since you can’t
act decently toward other boys, you may play by yourself.”
As the group separated Mark shook his fist at Miss Hosiner’s
retreating back and openly made an ugly face at Wendell.
Not only during the week of his punishment but throughout the
year he showed insolence toward Miss Hosiner and distinct dislike
for Wendell.
CONSTRUCTIVE TREATMENT
COMMENTS
Emeline Carlisle was a little girl who talked about the maid, the
cook and the nurse at their house, of the company they had, the
vacations they spent and the clerks in “father’s store.”
Jessie Dodge was a child of a poor but refined widow who, with
extreme difficulty, was able to provide sufficient clothing and food
for her.
Miss Dunlap, the teacher in the fourth Jealous of “Rich
grade, saw that Jessie was destined to Girl”
become jealous of Emeline. So she pointed out to Emeline from time
to time the superior gifts and traits of Jessie. She would say:
“Jessie Dodge is such a refined girl. She knows how to reply
whenever she is spoken to. I think the girls who are her special
friends are fortunate.”
She appointed these two girls to do tasks together, saying, “Jessie
and Emeline may work together on the fifth problem, Emeline writes
well and Jesse thinks well. They will make good companions for this
work.”
By such handling of the situation, Emeline and Jessie became good
friends.
CONSTRUCTIVE TREATMENT
COMMENTS
The big, final basket ball game between Danvers and Winfield high
schools would determine which was the best team in the state. Prof.
Beatty of Danvers wrote to Prof. Ryland of Winfield and said, among
other things:
“Kindly write me a few words about each Appreciating
boy on your team to read to our boys. Are Opponents
they country or town boys? What is the favorite study of each? What
does each expect to do when he gets out of high school? What do you
consider the finest trait of each?
When the answer to this letter came, the Danvers boys read it
eagerly and later met the Winfield boys as friends. Not a hint of
jealousy was shown by Danvers when Winfield won.
CONSTRUCTIVE TREATMENT
Misses Phelps and Bender took a wise course in curing the fifth
and sixth graders under their charge, of snobbishness. They
combined forces and went into flower gardening on a small scale. A
plot of ground was procured and the children grouped by pairs
according to an inflexible rule adopted at the very start. There were
several motives behind this project, but we need consider only this
one point.
To insure a genuinely democratic spirit, Gardening in
two pairs were assigned each day for work Pairs