A critique of P. E. Meehl's Clinical versus statistical prediction

It is important both for the actuary and for the clinician to be able to predict certain events. The actuary in making predictions uses straightforward, precisely describable rules, so that in principle anyone able to follow these rules (a clerk or even a machine) can make the same predictions. The question has been raised whether in the clinical situation similar methods of prediction should be introduced or, indeed, whether the clinician already “unconsciously” uses similar methods. The controversy surrounding this issue has been intense. Meehl puts the focal points of the controversy under close scrutiny.