Turner Hall, Room 2101

College Park, MD 20742- 5411

Office: 301-314-7777 Fax: 301-314-6693
Email: univcomm@umd.edu
Contact: Isha Aggarwal- Public Relations Coordinator
Phone: 609-721-2792
Email: aggarwal@terpmail.umd.edu
Office: 301-314-7777Fax: 301-314-6693
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2013
UMD Anthropology Professors Book Explores Consequences of Testing
Test results show unexpected effects in society
DATELINE- COLLEGE PARK, MD A University of Maryland professor examines the
results of chronic testing on society in his new book, Testing Testing: Social Consequences of
the Examined Life.
Anthropology professor F. Allan Hanson studied American societys addiction to tests.
He discovered a variety of veiled consequences from commonly used testing procedures in
business and education. Hansons findings are as follows:
Organizations should eliminate much of the testing used to predict behavior and
aptitudes in their programs. Employers should only use drug tests when they suspect an
employee of using, with the exception of anabolic steroids.
Random testing is the only way to discover drug use among athletes because the effects
of steroids can last longer than the detection period.
Otherwise, the nature of testing serves as a power device for agencies to determine whom
to employ, to admit to college, to take on as a risk or to arrest.

(more)

Aggarwal. Book Release. 2

Too Much Testing
The American preoccupation with testing has resulted in a panoply of techniques
dedicated to scanning, probing, weighing, perusing and recording every last detail of our
personal traits and life experiences, Hanson says in his book. Decisions are made about people
not on the basis of what they have done, or even what they certainly will do, but in terms of what
they might do.
Tests that evaluate performance, such as school comprehension or abilities can offer
advantageous feedback, but tests that forecast aptitude and behavior can yield unintentional and
unwanted results. The tests sort people, Hanson says, where they are then treated, act and come
to think of themselves according to the expectations associated with those categories.
The professors book is now available for purchase in the local area. For more
information contact Denis Cicourel at UC Press, 2120 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720.
###
About the University of Maryland
The University of Maryland grew from a small agricultural school established in 1856 to a
globally recognized research institution with students from more than 130 countries. The
university takes pride in the diverse and talented student body and faulty. The university is close
to the three major cities, Washington, D.C., Annapolis and Baltimore as the university is large
home of history, culture and education. For more information, visit www.umd.edu or call 301314-7777.
###