Accident Proneness*

Statistics have been presented to show that accident-proneness is a definite entity and a number of possible causes for accident-proneness have been presented. From the evidence now at hand it seems fairly certain that the existence of accident-proneness is an actual fact. The various explanations for accident proneness are not on such a firm basis, however. The attempt of Dunbar and others to explain accident-proneness on the basis of a traumatophilic diathesis has led to some strongly suggestive statistics. The series worked with, however, was not a very large one, and as yet no other adequate series has been reported by other sources. The problem of secondary gain has not been gone into statistically, and the explanation for the accident-proneness of youth is by no means adequate as it has been worked out to date. Accident-proneness can be predicted at present only on the basis of past record. It has been shown that accident-prone people have certain definite characteristics of personality which, if further studied, may be a valuable aid to prediction. Accidents due to accident-proneness may be prevented only by elimination of accident-prone people at present. It has been shown, however, that further study may enable the psychiatrist to prevent the formation of the accident habit, and even cure accident-proneness which has become established.