The Use of the Cumulative Record in the Prediction of Behavior

Abstract

The results of two studies by the authors demonstrate the utility of the cumulative record as a source of data for the prediction of behavior. In their separate analyses of behavioral descriptions and ratings of children by teachers, the authors found that personality descriptions written for the cumulative record from 6 to 30 years previously were related to adult psychiatric diagnosis and young‐adult measured interest patterns. Such descriptions also conformed to theoretical expectations regarding the schizoid personality and were consistent with personality correlates of vocational interest patterns shown in other research. Based on the findings of these studies, several recommendations for the improvement of the cumulative record were made.