Until recent years there has been relatively little systematic effort to structure knowledge concerning that period of development be­tween adolescence and maturity when we are supposedly getting ready to assume the responsibilities of occupation, love, marriage and chil­dren and the "busyness" that goes with it. In fact, this "getting ready" period may be a crucial one for the development of creativity and leadership. Therefore, the times demand a careful appraisal of its sig­nificance in the growth and development cycle.