1. health and fitness
2. disorders
3. mental disorder
4. a.d.d.

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T H E
PSYCHOLOGY OF ATTENTION
BY
T H .
R I B O T
PROFESSOR OF COMPARATIVE AND EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY IN
THE COLLEGE DE FRANCE
AUTHORISED
(SECOND,
TRANSLATION
REVISED EDITION)
C H I C A G O
THE
OPEN
COURT
PUBLISHING
1894
COMPANY
TRANSLATION COPYRIGHTED
THE
OPEN
COURT
PUBLISHING
CHICAGO, I I I .
BY
COMPANY,
T A B L E
O F
C O N T E N T S .
INTRODUCTORY.
PAGE
Purpose of the book : study of the mechanism of A t t e n t i o n . . .
i
Division of the subject
2
Definition of Attention
6
CHAPTER I.
S P O N T A N E O U S OX N A T U R A L
ATTENTION.
Always caused by emotional, or affective, states : basal facts. 6
Its
physical manifestations : vaso-motor phenomena,
tory phenomena,
and
general
motor phenomena,
respiraor
phe-
nomena of expression
11
T h e supposed effects o f A t t e n t i o n are its indispensable factors,
its c o n s t i t u t i v e elements
Attention
is o n l y t h e
19
s u b j e c t i v e aspect of the
physical mani-
festations expressing it
21
Concerning Surprise
23
O r i g i n o f S p o n t a n e o u s A t t e n t i o n : its c o n n e c t i o n w i t h the necessary conditions of life
26
CHAPTER II.
V O L U N T A R Y OR A R T I F I C I A L
ATTENTION.
Its formation : is an artificial product 29
The
three
principal
periods o f its genesis : actions of s i m p l e
feelings, of complex feelings, and of habit
I t is a p e r f e c t i o n e d a p p a r a t u s ,
33
a result of civilization
36
The mechanism of Voluntary Attention
T h e role of actions of inhibition i n physiology: facts and
ries
A t t e n t i o n acts o n l y u p o n muscles a n d t h r o u g h muscles
39
theo4°
45
vi
T A B L E
OF
C O N T E N T S .
PAGE
M o t o r elements i n perceptions, emotions, images, a n d
general
ideas
4^
T h e m e a n i n g o f '• v o l u n t a r i l y t o d i r e c t o n e ' s a t t e n t i o n t o w a r d s
an object"
5
Of the feeling of effort i n general
6
59
O f effort i n Attention : effort i n Attention results f r o m concomitant
muscular
contractions, and
peripheral
its p o i n t o f d e p a r t u r e
is
•
60
E x p e r i m e n t a l researches u p o n V o l u n t a r y A t t e n t i o n
66
E x p e c t a n t A t t e n t i o n : w h a t it consists i n ; its m o t o r a n d
intel-
lectual aspects
68
CHAPTER III.
T H E MORBID STATES OF
ATTENTION.
Distraction 72
Classification of pathological f o r m s
1.
H y p e r t r o p h y of Attention :
74
transition f r o m
the
normal
state to the m o r b i d state
76
Hypochondria
77
F i x e d ideas : t h e i r varieties
78
Resemblances and non-resemblances
Ecstasy:
its varieties a n d
to A t t e n t i o n
84
d i f f e r e n t degrees ; the state of
perfect monoideism
2.
88
A t r o p h y of Attention : maniacs
96
T h e state o f exhaustion : w e a k e n i n g o f A t t e n t i o n a n d enf e e b l e m e n t o f the p o w e r o f m o t i o n go h a n d i n h a n d . . .
97
A t t e n t i o n i n sleep a n d i n hypnosis
100
Attention in idiots
103
CONCLUSION.
Attention dependent upon emotional states 105
Emotional" life reducible
to
needs,
tendencies,
and
whether accompanied or not accompanied w i t h
desires,
conscious-
ness
106
T h e s e states a l w a y s i m p l y a m o t o r i n n e r v a t i o n i n s o m e d e g r e e
or other
O n the most general physical condition of Attention
n o
112
T H E
P S Y C H O L O G Y
O F
A T T E N T I O N .
INTRODUCTORY.
have given much study to the effects
PSYCHOLOGISTS
of
attention,
latter
gate
point
i n
limits
later
of
see,
little
only one
following
question
the
theory
contributes,
w a n t
very
is t h e
the
the
the
but
w o r k .
to
be it ever
so
mechanism.
propose
Y e t
the
even
for
it
I f
little, to
the
is,
have
investi-
as
these
w e
shall
c o m p l e m e n t
present
point out
psychology,
it, it will
to
T h e
within
necessary
association.
supply
I
is i m p o r t a n t ,
of contemporaneous
others
its
that
counterpart,
of
to
treatise
clearly
and
to
this
induce
accomplished
its
pur-
pose.
W i t h o u t
characterize
attempting
attention,
at
I
present
shall
take
to
define
for
or
granted
every one sufficiently understands what the term
It
is a
w h a t
matter
of
m u c h
point attention
embraces
all
corded
the buzzing
to
absorption.
sound
m e t h o d
t y p i c a l ;
one
of the
duration.
its
that
will
f r o m
of a
be
difficulty to
and
where
the
transient
fly,
t o
the
conformable
is
to
say,
W h e n
b o t h
those w h i c h
to
D u r a t i o n alone
a c c u m u l a t i o n :
as,
k n o w
ac-
complete
rule of
at
least
attention
for instance,
same
w h e n
a
and
: intensity
the
at
for it
m a r k e d
present
coincide,
reaches
means.
instant
the
are
characteristics
these
that
it e n d s ;
state of
o n l y to study cases that
following t w o
m a x i m u m .
through
begins,
degrees
I t
greater
to
and
is
at
result
one
de-
2
P S Y C H O L O G Y
OF
ciphers
a w o r d
b y
trical
sparks.
thus
a
the
or
w o m a n will
attention
these
have
yet
that
idle
to
waste
of
this series
the
w e
to
in, i n
of
a
us
is
equally
the
the
broad
note
the
feeble
all
events,
study.
outlines
m o r e
is
are
work,
aspects,
T h e
n a t u r a l ;
the
true,
T h e
primitive,
and
second—the
chologists—is
nature,
attention,
but
an
other
voluntary,
by most
only
one
imitation,
its w h o l e
and
only
finds
result
I t is m e r e l y a n
a product
of
of
most
is
essentially
the
muscles,
and
the
f o r m
inhibition
w e
m i g h t
t w o forms,
" p u r e
motory,
and
vacillating
a
spontaneous
p o i n t of
sup-
cultivation,
the
the
; and
words
it
epigraph
of
Its
always
muscles,
as
indetermi-
of spirit, acting
means.
is,
an
acts
m a i n l y
of attention."
is an
exceptional,
long
time,
the
Attention,
abnormal
reason
under
state,
that
that
it
is i n
basic condition of psychic life;
study
" t h e
is i n c a -
these t w o
w h i c h
u p o n
under
of this
Maudsley,
b y
mechan-
p e r s o n w h o is u n a b l e to c o n t r o l h i s o w n m u s c l e s ,
the
psy-
education,
is n o t
act'"
that
t h r o u g h
choose
for
atten-
of
f r o m
latter
undiscoverable
ism
of
b y
apparatus f o r m e d by
in these
and
of
civilization.
activity,"^, k i n d
mysterious
being
i n the
f o r m
studied
a
arti-
psychologists—
f u n d a m e n t a l
it derives
Attention,
to
and
purpose
and
of training, a n d of i m p u l s i o n . Precarious
pable
it
the
is the
nate
we
t w o well-defined f o r m s of attention :
T h e f o r m e r — n e g l e c t e d
and
not
the
spontaneous,
port.
i t is
prove
ficial.
in
f o r m s of
our
delicate
to establish
eye,
Before
of
subtile differences.
of essays
of an
T h e
our
elec-
efficacious:
t w i n k l i n g
n o t h i n g : at
begin
of several
propositions :
T h e r e
tion.
light
rival.
m u s t
t i m e w i t h
following
one
teach
traced
be
take
toilet
can
f r o m
figure
Intensity alone
complete
w o u l d
a
A T T E N T I O N .
forms,
cannot
last
a
contradiction
namely,
change.
I N T R OD
Attention
b e y o n d
able
is a
conditions,
that
cloudiness
vacuity,
light,
transient
very
under
in
perturbations
attention
m o r b i d
acute
Already
adult
intelligence,
are
life w i l l
w a r d
consist
events,
ideas,
other
and
it is not,
as
but
it
rather
and
t h r o u g h
able
is b e i n g i n c e s s a n t l y
E v e r y
one
k n o w s
ciation
one
f o r m s
psychology.
for,
as
the
of
our
in good
study
latent
later
idea/
and
beyond
this
t o w a r d
health,
clearly
u n i t y of
by
of
average
of
his
mental
and
going of in-
of sensations,
associate with,
laws.
been
in
feelings,
or repel,
Properly
said, a
I f w e
and
mechanism
c o m i n g
this
chain,
day,
unformed, and
and
that
the
has
opinion,
that
the
a
series,
directions,
been
theory
of
sustained
n u m b e r
of
careasso-
m o d e r n
has
been sufficiently taken
cause of a great
w h i c h
re-formed.
everything
part
each
speaking,
various
mechanism
is
better
strata ; a mobile aggregate
not
life.
a definition of attention.
indeed,
e m o t i o n a l states has
count
still
passing
aid
an-
w h i c h
of the solidest acquisitions of
N o t ,
i n
the
irradiation
that
i n our
psychical
tendency
formed,
fully studied
d o n e ;
by
frequently has
various
These
radical
*f i x e d
without
certain
an
the
point,
w h i c h
to
the
shall
ecstasy.
m a r c h i n g
images,
intellectual
itself
w e
namely,
ordinary
i n a
of
n o r m a l
i n a perpetual
according
is
denote
ex-
increasing
vertigo.
is
person,
the
by
manifests
characteristic—the
any
individual
a k i n d
w h i c h
w h i c h
consciousness—to reach
take
unfavor-
u n i t y of consciousness,
this
w e
prolonged
constantly
the
form,
form,
f r o m
generalities,
m a r k e d
and
cases,
their chronic
their
a
finally
basis of attention,
clearly
i t is
f r o m
accompanied
progress t o w a r d
the
3
I f
k n o w s
results
mind,
frequently
of
is f i x e d .
everybody
the
V.
time, particularly under
there
of
tagonism
T h e
that
a reasonable
perience,
in
state
U C T O R
been
b y
the
into
ac-
associa-
P S Y C H O L O G Y
tions.
M o r e than
another,
be
not
b y
c o m m o n
ops*
task
ical
and
virtue of
is a
unites
laws,
rebral
very
and
the
the
T h e
laws
w o u l d
supports
c o n d i t i o n is
inhibition,
of
monoideism.
B u t
in
sense
w e
sole
and
w h a t
tion
to
for
a
i n w a r d
relative
a
it,
and
themselves
that
It
for
drains
possible—the
D o
entire
there
w h i c h
to
w e
w h i c h
instant
w e
i n
very
con-
a
us,
t o w a r d
least
because
very
to
benefit of
that
:
is
is
reduc-
to
only
;
a
to
produce
and
c o m m o n
i n the
N o
relates
limits,
a
a
existence
all that
on
point.
p r o p o r t i o n
m o n o i d e i s m ,
a
sole
I n our
rare
consciousness
M
it
a
determine,
it
in w h i c h the
later o n ; still
• S e e good instances i n J. S u l l y :
the
activity.
is r e d u c e d
few,
is
Is attention a
is t o t a l l y a r r e s t e d ?
o n l y
e m p l o y e d
progression
n a r r o w
cerebral
shall analyze
only,
states of
r e a l l y e x i s t c a s e s o f absolute
association
meet
of
associations
state entirely occupying it, and
of
still
A t t e n t i o n
itself
use—at
consciousness
ce-
are
is, it s u p p o s e s t h e
converge
o w n
the
the
of consciousness?
allowing
w i t h i n
they
its
to
w e
exclusive
teaches
d r a w i n g
els'e,
only
condition
in
state
observation
nothing
the
this term.
single
master-idea,
envel-
physiolog-
i t is n e c e s s a r y c l e a r l y t o
monoideism j that
of
to
expression
perpetual
use
but
r e m a i n
but
plurality
to the
to
this
ideas,
point.
a u t h o r s — p o l y i d e i s m .
state,
w o u l d
thus
i t ;
by
single
w h i c h
m e c h a n i s m
o r — a c c o r d i n g
m o m e n t a r y
evokes
as
of association
sciousness,
ceitain
idea
emotional fact w h i c h
T h e r e
ideal
an
character
psychological
this
n o r m a l
their
that
that
a resemblance
c o m m o n
mechanism
far f r o m
i n
them.
of reducing
A T T E N T I O N .
once it happens
to t h e m
because there
OF
cases
and
mechanism
opinion,
of
this
ecstasy,
i t is f o r a
disappears
I l l u s i o n s , " Chap. V I I
single
fleeting
w h e n
I N T R OD
placed
b e y o n d
the
necessary to its
Attention
conditions
( w e here
ative
for
consists
unity
Y
that
once
w e
shall
of consciousness
w h i c h
only
study
confuse
unity
w i t h
the
for the plurality
constitutes
a nephritic colic,
m o m e n t a r y
rigorously
m o r e a n d for the last
the
does n o t suffice to define attention.
a
are
t i m e
clearest
accordingly i n the substitution of a
the change
ache,
5
existence.
recall the fact, that
cases)
U C T O R
or intense
attention proper.
of states,
rule.
Y e t
A very b a d
e n j o y m e n t
of consciousness,
w h i c h
Attention
rel-
this
tooth-
produce
w e do
has
not
an
ob-
ject ; i t is n o t a p u r e l y s u b j e c t i v e m o d i f i c a t i o n : i t is
cognition,
an intellectual
characteristic
T h i s
is
to be
n o t
all.
T o
w h i c h
approach
in
course
of o u r
w e
must
take
establish,
ter.
it,
i n a
I n w h a t
present,
a n d
great
does
it, a n d
of
w h i c h
it
f r o m
will
(for example,
the
as
measure
w e
studied
ideas),
that
always
shall
attempt
constitutes
adaptation
ourselves
be
certain
fixed
adaptation
which,
this
let us limit
distinguish
w o r k
account
accompanies
T h i s is a n a d d i t i o n a l
noted.
states
the
state.
a
its
consist ?
to
characF o r
the
to an entirely superficial
view.
I n
cases of spontaheous
converges
t o w a r d
times
arms
the
sonality
; all motions
is c a p t u r e d ,
individual,
point.
its object,
all his
that
attention, the whole
t h e eyes,
are
available
arrested.
energy
some-
O u r
a i m
at
per-
of-the
the
same
T h e p h y s i c a l a n d e x t e r n a l a d a p t a t i o n is a s i g n o f
a n d i n w a r d adaptation.
duction
to unity
m o v e m e n t s
I n
a n d
is, all the tendencies
psychic
n o r m a l
ears,
b o d y
a n d
Convergence
s u b s t i t u t i n g itself
attitudes
w h i c h
for that
is a re-
diffusion of
characterizes
the
state.
cases
of v o l u n t a r y attention
adaptation
is
most
P S Y C H O L O G Y
6
frequently incomplete,
T h e
m o v e m e n t s
time
to
time.
languid,
ical
and
T h e
organism
I
must
that
these
of
a
attention
accompanied
or
predominant,
tation
of the
But
order
of
w i t h
i n
has
been
a
phys-
of
mental
only
partly
circumstance
s o m e w h a t
proofs
of
the
will
p a v i n g
1
come
the
believe,
obscure
w a y
and
later.
for a
I can
I t
defi-
present
i n
I t is a n intellectual m o n o i d e i s m ,
Or,
consists
f r o m
but
intermissions
are
by spontaneous
individual."
" A t t e n t i o n
of
which,
: "
reappear
Intermissions of
to p a r d o n
and
question
to
solidity.
m o m e n t s .
remarks
the following f o r m
the
sign
reader
Details
merely
nition
a
w i t h o u t
converges,
personality
the
brief
insufficient.
was
are
intermittent
ask
yet
sort of way.
T h e
at
intermittent,
inhibited,
adaptation
won,
A T T E N T I O N .
are
reluctant
adaptation.
OF
if
or
w e
i n an
artificial adaptation
prefer
of
another
f o r m u l a :
intellectual state,
exclusive
spontaneous
or
artificial
adap-
individual."
let us
n o w
to study,
leave
in their
the
foregoing generalities,
mechanism,
the
several
in
f o r m s
attention.
CHAPTER I
SPONTANEOUS
S P O N T A N E O U S
attention
been
it
and
very
Still,
is
education
employed.
animals
but
until
attention
in y o u n g
unequally
whether
caused
without
T h e r e
by
strong
emotional
exception.
A T T E N T I O N .
is t h e
only
and
exists
means
have
no
k i n d
most
M a n , like
other
I t is a
distributed
states.
of
artificial
children.
or weak,
existing f o r m
gift of
a m o n g
nature,
individuals.
everywhere
and
T h i s r u l e is
animals,
in
lends
always
absolute,
his
at-
S P O N T A N E O U S
tention
spontaneously
terests h i m ; to w h a t
agreeable,
only
or
isfied
or
deepest
personality,
; as
to w h a t
state.
certain
crossed ;
i n us
only
7
concerns
and
A s
pleasure
of our tendencies
and
as
they
our
and
are
tendencies
express
the
very
are
being
sat-
are
w h a t
depths
of our character ; it follows that
nature
veals
his
character,
dencies.
vulgar,
of spontaneous
I t
tells
her
lend
neighbors;
w h i c h
the
geologist
the
uninitiated
ples
look
are
longer
into
or deep.
to
be
see
the
found,
a subject
emotional
should
not
it
ago
acquisition of
jority
of psychologists
in the
exclusive
necessary,
is
to
say,
on
study
the
contrary,
at
to
find,
that
so
an
dwell
w h i c h
L e t
the
the
exam-
to
dwell
evident
and
w i t h o u t
an
effect w i t h o u t
a
recognized
a
if indeed
obstinately
the
i n
n i g h t ;
in
useless
been
of the higher
i n beginning
will
gossip
of
attention
be
have
not
the
h i m ;
is
psychology,
had
ten-
frivolous,
pebbles.
of wonder
state w o u l d
long
re-
janitor's wife
around
that
person
approach
worthless
and
being.
a beautiful sunset,
a t r u t h (for spontaneous
is to
person
attention
painter
our
fundamental
T h e
whole
himself
t h e m
c o m m o n
that
a
o n l y sees
only
u p o n
anterior
cause)
his
of
is
spontane-
in any
to the stones he chances to
easily
striking
least,
whether
the
so
It m i g h t
at
her
peasant
the
reader
us,
narrow, open,
spontaneously
of
or,
attention
dis-
pain
ous, a t t e n t i o n h a s its r o o t s i n t h e v e r y b a s i s o f o u r
T h e
in-
produces in h i m an agreeable,
m i x e d
signs that
A T T E N T I O N .
ma-
persevered
forms of
end.*
the
as
attention,
I t is
u p o n its
highly
primitive
*The psychologists who have^clearly seen the importance of the emot i o n a l states i n a t t e n t i o n , are so f e w , t h a t I a m o n l y a b l e to q u o t e M a u d s l e y ,
" P h y s i o l o g y of M i n d , " Chap. V ; Lewes, " P r o b l e m s of L i f e and M i n d , "
V o l . I l l , p . 184; C a r p e n t e r , " M e n t a l P h y s i o l o g y , " C h a p . I l l ; H o r w i c z , " P s y chologhche
Analysen,"
C h a p . I , and a f e w of H e r b a r t ' s d i s c i p l e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y
V o l k m a r , " Lehrbuch
der Psychologies
V o l . I I , Sec. 114.
P S Y C I I O L O G Y
s
f o r m : w i t h o u t the
explainable,
m a i n
w i t h o u t
our
the
A
T T E N T I O N .
n o t h i n g is i n t e l l i g i b l e ,
everything
cordingly, w e
of
latter
OF
is v a g u e ,
and
g u i d i n g thread
w e
of
our
should
study.
shall not hesitate to m u l t i p l y the
m a n
or
experiencing
pable
of
certain
w h i c h
animal,
either
pleasure
attention.
states
is an
hypothetically
if
m o r e
or
pain,
T h e r e
could
intense
than
a m i d
a
m u l t i t u d e
b y
of
its
certain
into attention."
that
above all, our
acts,
but,
tendencies,
isfied.
taneous
attention
m o u t h
procession
that
comes
I n
the
T h u s
m a y
and
street,
or
in
they
of
is to
or
will
passing
say,
sat-
oftentimes
spon-
of effort.
T h e
stare
w i t h
masquerade,
l o n g as
effort appears,
character,
great
spontaneous
states.
show
b y great
turbulent
thirteenth
alone
observe h o w
us
m e n ,
the
i t is
that
These
the
it
a
be-
year
:
he
elements of mathematics,
incapable
was
and
are
traits
then
are
Arago,
application
f o r t h w i t h
the
caused
says
initiated
de-
i n all its
always
Fourier,
of
abound,
entirely
p h e n o m e n o n
passions.
and
traits
attention
Instances of great attention
remained
one
artificial.
emotional
sustained
and
devoid
t i m e
changes
that
because
w e
any
is
therewith
that
i m p e r t u r b a b i l i t y so
I f at
Condillac,
crossed
element,
procession
perfect
to be
in the
biographies
upon
his
a
voluntary,
pends
and
at
attention
prove,
force.
an
ones,
accordingly
is
adaptation,
is n a t u r a l
lasts.
w h i c h
best,
but
h i m
I t is n o t i n t e n s i t y
happen
loafs around
preserve
sign
is
important.
w h o
gaping
and
they
Intensity
least
idler,
as
for
there
it
of
inca-
other
I t is
intensity,
be
exist
sensations,
" t r a n s f o r m e d
the
n u m b e r
w o u l d
only
entirely different matter.
predominates
our
A c -
incapable
i m p o s s i b l e t o m a i n t a i n , i n t h e s a m e s e n s e as
that
re-
proofs.
A n y
that
nothing
until
into
became
a
the
dif-
S P O N T A N E O U S
ferent m a n .
u p
it
Malebranche,
Descartes's treatise
" c a u s e d
f r o m
such
h o u r
aside,
break
freely " ; and
speak
will
of
say
tion.
he
:
Such
w h a t
discovering
N o
could
f e w
be
Is
its w a y ,
finer
the
us
instances
but
ing,
w h a t
an
a
but
to
breathe
but
does not
to
perhaps
voca-
attention,
for the
rest
of
attention
last
for only
a
forever.
aspect
of the
Yes,
of connected
question.
apparently
" S t r i c t l y
is o f t e n c a l l e d a t t e n d i n g t o
one
speak-
thing
impressions
is
or
ideas,
ex-
ample, w h e n w e witness a dramatic representation.
. .
even
ject,
as
sition
a prolonged attention to a small material
a coin,
of
or
m i n d
suggestions
rectly
to
the
one
another.
as
involves
aspect
H e n c e
m a k i n g the
w h i c h
i n
(Chap.
I I , Sec.
ing w i t h great care the
fact,
u p o n
that
the
to another,
one
it w o u l d be
object the
it sets o u t
psycho-physics,
and
transet
more
centre
the
of w h i c h
4), show
subject to the l a w of r h y t h m .
d u c e d
a continual
ob-
cor-
of
to
of
at-
w h i c h
reverts."*
Researches
later
flower,
p o i n t f r o m
it c o n t i n u a l l y
speak
a
f r o m
described
tention,
deepening interest.
the
F o r
A n d
and
b o o k
spontaneous
different
w i t h an ever renewed
lay the
Some
of attention continuous ?
o f a series
that
I t is useless
bearings
of
of
heart
order
vocation
i n r e a l i t y i t is i n t e r m i t t e n t .
following
to
perusal
marks of a d a w n i n g
f o r m
hour,
examine
state
so ;
or
the
true
this
the
others.
is a
its
given, for
minutes
L e t
indeed
i n
the
a Cartesian.
m a n y
traits are
of
compelled
perusal,
becomes
N e w t o n , and
B u t
life ?
was
its
;
beating
9
reluctantly takes
" d e FHomme"
he
off
T T E N T I O N .
b y chance,
a violent
to hour
and
A
that
Stanley Hall,
we
shall
attention
while
study-
gradual changes of pressure
tips of the
perception
fingers, has
of
*J. Sully, Outlines of Psychology.
continuity
Chap. I V .
established
seems
is
prothe
i m p o s -
P S Y C H O L O G Y
IO
sible,
and
that
continuous
in
the
due
in
choo§es
order
notation
to
reflex
and
m o t i o n ;
m o v e m e n t .
object
and
have
all
w h i c h
have
it w o u l d
be
an
the
T h e
it was
Erotic
d'Azyr
cases
they
first place,
and
emptied,
passion
maintained
because
that
cannot
be
of
its female,
is
of attention.
capable
p r o b l e m ,
manner
the
holds it i n its
a
filled
he
like
that
u p o n
emotional
states,
this Gall
jealousy,
etc.;
note
trained,
i n
retorted :
m i n d
acts
as
in the
irritation,
cessation
or
attention
its intensity a n d
their
it
sciensame
N o
verified
d e p e n d s
satisfaction,
its
d u r a t i o n
duration.
a fact of considerable
* ' A m e r i c a n J o u r n a l o f P s y c h o l o g y / ' 1887, N o . 1.
d i e n , " 1888, V o l . V , p. 56, a n d f o l l o w i n g .
S h o w
w h i c h
rest.
more easily
desires,
the
whether
c o n f r o n t i n g any
their intensity and
here
V i c q
be
out
as
never
( w h i c h
find
spontaneous
such
fairy,
w o u l d
could not
y o u will
will
manner.
attentive
W h e n
passion,
glass,
it,
T o
the
in the effort to satisfy
refilled
made
a
produces
unassuaged
more incontestable,
this, namely,
us
say,
attention
malignant
i n
to
adaptation.
if some
w i t h o u t
than
u p o n
to
spontaneous
before
N e w t o n i a n
p o w e r
f a c t is clearer,
depend
proper
; it falls a p r e y to a perpetual
discontent,
also
attention
repeated
monkeys
and
of
errors
are
excitation
of
acts
is n o t t r u e ) .
a m o n k e y
Let
physical
dipsomaniac,
soon
stop.
Certain
c o m p a r e d
m o r e
characteristics
its contents;
as
degrees
p h e n o m e n a
incessantly
tenacious
of
attention.*
L e w e s
swallow
tific
them.
unceasingly re-commences
itself.
feeling
Similarly a stimulation c o m i n g f r o m
produces
D e e p
the
different
compare
A n y
have
decrease.
astronomical
series of reflexes.
a
or
between
to
of
A T T E N T I O N .
cannot
these oscillations of
M a u d s l e y
a
subject
augmentation
Attention
pressure,
the
OF
i m p o r t a n c e
"Philosophische Stu-
S P O N f A N E O US
A
T T E N T I O N .
11
in the mechanism of attention. This real intermission
in
an
apparent
long
attention.
any
single
continuity
I f w e
point,
a c l o u d is
ourselves,
and
our
h a n d
flat
pressure
m o v e m e n t ,
is at
the
soon
as
is,
condition
is a
is
t i m e
b o t h
of the
no
weak.
the
I n
change,
w h i c h
of consciousness.
These w e l l - k n o w n
experience,
us
intermissions
sciousness,
delicate
i n attention,
because
they
slow
w i t h o u t
organ
motory.
one
other
of the
facts,
A s
of the
t w o
after
m o v e m e n t
is o n e
understand
b y
disappears.
and
a word,
is
of
brief,
the
c o m m o n
the necessity of
very
a
conditions
these
often imperceptible to
are
lay
w i t h o u t
sensorial
eliminates
and
I f w e
and
f u n c t i o n of the
null.
m a k e
all.
perception
E v e r y
u p o n
object
finally
sensitive
i m m o b i l i t y
any
becomes
m o v e m e n t ) ,
there
same
the
motionless,
off, a n d
so
vision
between
wears
it ever
rendered
our
n o t h i n g at
itself
be
(motility),
is
see
possible
of our eyes fixed
while
table,
that
absolute
elements
while
a
sensation
reason
a
finally w e
u p o n
renders
one
f o r m e d
(for pressure
degrees the
T h e
keep
after
c o n f u s e d ;
alone
and
con-
of a
very
are
nu-
shall
m i -
forewarning
the
order.
n.
T H E
physical
merous
and
of
manifestations
very
nutely
pass
t h e m
reader,
that
w e
state
of
m i n d ,
great
i n
than
as
attention
importance.
review,
consider
of
while
t h e m
its
less
W e
as
necessary
effects of
conditions—fre-
quently even
as its c o n s t i t u t i v e e l e m e n t s .
accordingly,
far
pose,
T o
f r o m
is r e a l l y a n
obtain
a n i s m
of
else.
I t
an
approximately
i n
w e
fact,
T h i s
subordinate
investigation of
attention,
is,
being
clear
to
capital
idea
our
an
attitude
of
of
study,
pur-
importance.
the
shall not have to look
only
this
the
mech-
anywhere
m i n d ,
a
P S Y C H O L O G Y
purely
f o r m a l
state;
concomitants that
remain
i n the
tom.
of
A n d
attention
silent
It
ing
is
is
f r o m
to
its
to
inaccessible
i n
" N o
thought
thought
is a w o r d
or
forms of
W e
w i t h o u t
an
act
of
attention
internal, h i d d e n
ferred
spiratory
n o m e n a
three
groups
phenomena,
us
case s o m e t h i n g
will
will
suffering,
a
be
ten
" ;
unconscious
state,
pain,
arterial
faint impression
process,
that
of
T h e
to
u p o n
same
called
reflec-
can
be
of any
a state
or
phe-
of
con-
always
finger.
happen.
w h a t e v e r ;
m a j o r i t y
a n d
a
raises the
exist
at-
sensations,
the
heaviness
D o
labor.
their little
distinct
re-
fix their
sensation
questions:
re-
phenomena,
following will
T h i s simple experiment
not
this
T h e
attention
sensation.
there
is
later.
pulsations;
of
is,
activity.
t w e n t y persons
certain
Set-
that
m o t o r y phenomena,
like the
ethe-
w i t h
questioned.
minutes
experience
state
a d m i t , —
clearly testify
vasp-motor
suppose that
In
feel
repeat
T h e y all denote
for five or
others
:
and
tention
S o m e
still
of the organism and of concentration of
L e t
such
be
shall speak
of expression.
vergence
I.
cannot
physical concomitants
to
follow-
manifestations.
nascent
so
that
T h e
limited
intellectual
muscular
applies
w e
remained
the
expression
in a
it
of w h i c h
spoken
have
i n m i n d
shall
that
tion,
and
physical
principle
to
have
we
phan-
a p u r e l y super-sensual,
c o m m e n c e m e n t
sensorial
a
only
f r o m tradition
world.
chenoff,
have
E v e r y
definite
t a k i n g place
it substance,
abstraction,
bear
principle :
an
physical
power.
necessary
by
all the
observation,
its
is n o t , — a s m a n y
a
pure
m e c h a n i s m ,
extolling
accompanied
say,
it of
and give
of a
T h o u g h t
to
divest
i n w a r d
f u n d a m e n t a l
real,
T T E N T I O N .
the psychologists that
always
event
A
determine
concerning
themselves
if w e
presence
so
OF
i n
the
as
will
c r a w l i n g
following
several
S P O N T A N E O U S
parts
of the
cations
of
the
unless
act
of
nected
and
Finally,
can
certain
finger
first
there
rience
a
vascular
activity
produce
subjec-
seek
But,
w e
think
is p e r h a p s
finger,
vascular
the
space
sensation
mitted,
finger,
if w e
the
t w o other
grounded.
of
T h e
t h o u g h t
time,
set
con-
to a
very
sensation
is
in our opinion,
is c o n c e n t r a t e d
really the
modifications that
seat of
take
almost
probable,
and
attention, even
larization
quence
of the
of
perhaemia
parts
greater
is
itself
u p o n
w h e n not
of
the
is c a u s e d
by
a
b y
the
thetic nerve, w h i c h
w h i c h
on
is i n d e p e n d e n t
is s u b j e c t e d t o
* H a c k T u k e , " M i n d and B o d y , " p . 2.
are
i n
toward
by local
hyper-
T h e
vascu-
in
conse-
T h i s local
of
the
of the
hy-
arteries,
vaso-motor
of the
the
all the
felt
etc.*
action of the
depend
suffi-
sensation.
increases
dilatation
the
directed
the muscular integuments
nerves
a
brain.
concerned,
are
universally ad-
functional activity.
caused
vaso-motor
but
parts
for a
place,
highly
certain
atten-
experienced
heaviness,
of
expe-
about
of arterial pulsations,
that
to
suppositions
a n y r e g i o n o f o u r b o d y , is a c c o m p a n i e d
will,
is
sensation.
that
w h i c h
vascular
f o r m
T h e
modifica-
is a l w a y s p o s s i b l e
partially subjective ; but
u p o n
is
it
i n the
for this
perfectly well
nerves
centres
n e r v e s be so i n f l u e n c e d
w h i c h
Indeed,
sensation
tively to
w h i c h
un-
same ?
the sympathetic
transitory
w i t h
the
supposition seems probable only
degree.
haemia
pass b y
u p o n
the
modifi-
?
slight
It
fixed
can the vaso-motor
the
T h e
the
is
ganglia,
?
produce
tions i n
T h e
attention
sensorial
be aroused,
cient
to incessant
attention increase
tive sensations
to
due
4
the
as
sensations,
of the tissues—modifications w h i c h
perceived
C a n
b o d y
A T T E N T I O N
great
arteries.
sympa-
action of
the
influences of
the
14
P S Y C H O L O G Y
e m o t i o n a l states.
T h e
that
OF
A T T E N T I O N .
experiments
the
Mosso,
others,
s h o w
e m o t i o n
causes an afflux of b l o o d to the brain.
is," says Maudsley,
t h r o u g h
in
the
W e
circulation i n the
to
i t ;
not
t h o u g h t
active
nervous
A f t e r a
notice the
spell
than
of
as
w h e n
the
m i n d ,
w h e n
then,
it
that
(sometimes
the
minister
some
earnest
it keeps
up
an
go
attention w e
the
is
quicken
w i l l n o t let us
of protracted
redness
" T h e r e
substrata w h i c h
than
h o l d
transient
o f t h o u g h t is to
circulation i n the brain, and
sleep."*
also
taken
most
conclude,
current
otherwise
has
f u n c t i o n
fairly
to a
a n d
among
active circulation of blood
d u r i n g
m a y
effect of attention
the
" a m o r e
brain
repose.
slightest
of
to
m a y
pallor) of
the
face.
I I .
T h e respiratory modifications w h i c h
attention
enter
resemble
partly
respiration
into
attention,"
our
mental
movements
that
but
de
i n the
the
changes,
goes a t e m p o r a r y
of
the
m o t o r
feeling
w h i c h
adjustments
in
like
in
order
T h e
a
protracted
instances,
to renew
abundantly
f
make
r h y t h m i c
expression,
of any
T h e
the
air w i t h i n
to
w o r k
is
probOften,
inhalation,
our
s y m p t o m — a s
is c o m m o n
clever
y a w n i n g
of respiration.
* Maudsley: " Physiology of Mind." Gley: Sur Vetat du pouls carotidien
pendant
le travail
zntellectuel.
t C o n s u l t L e w e s , l o c . c i t . , p . 188.
to
the
a prolonged
respiratory
out,
power
effort of attention
produce
pointed
under-
designates a
breath, "
of
the
learn
w i t h
and
r h y t h m
acquire
incapable
slackening
w e
T h e
sometimes
to
w h i c h
one
long
effect of the
have
as
proper,
I t is a f e l i c i t o u s
F r e n c h language,
sigh—another
authors
" i s
alternate
of respiration.
follows
and
" T o
L e w e s ,
haleine—of
ably the
of effort.
stoppage.
superficial thinker,
longue
p h e n o m e n a
slackens,
says
accompany
lungs.
several
attention,
to
S P O N T A N E O U S
physical,
the
and
m o r a l
blood that
has
pain
A T T E N T I O N .
:
been
its
object
narcotized
or involuntary stoppage
of
is to
by
oxygenize
the
voluntary
respiration.
A l l t h e s e facts are so m a n y p r o o f s i n s u p p o r t
has
been
said
abnormal
I I I .
before,
fact,
T h e
w h i c h
I n
this chapter
of
the
remainder
under
the
title
first
time,
the
not
first
been
F o r m e r l y
both
at
place
concerned
tuting
too
the
are
be
B y
the
contraction
more
the
and
a
to
the
few
properly
nomie
he
about
investigate
facts.
our
o w n
o w n
of a facial muscle
set
humaine
muscle
forth
(1862),
the
for
i n
this
idea
the
of
a
observ-
Gratiolet,
isolated
affected
of p h o t o g r a p h y
he
slight
contraction
la
state
produces
a
single
local
of a
cle of attention ; the orbicularis superior of the
muscle
of reflection; the
* See C h a p . I I ,
infra.
single
every
modification.
T h u s , a c c o r d i n g t o h i m , t h e o c c i p i t o - f r o n t a l i s is t h e
the
theory
physio-
is o f t e n s u f f i c i e n t t o e x p r e s s a n e m o t i o n ;
emotional
w i t h
obtained
A c c o r d i n g to the
de
i n
substi-
pure
m a n
as
of
p r o v o k e d the
i n h i s Mecanisme
a
time.
fancies—had
pioneer
m e t h o d
by means
T h e y
them.
aid of electricity he
had
but
physiognomists—
partial to their
results of the experiment.
w h i c h
study
a t t e n t i o n :*
before
fields,—conceived
anaesthesia, a n d
to
importance.
ation practiced by his predecessors, Ch. Bell,
etc.
said
into a partial
examine
studied
experimental
w h i c h
attention.
of B o u l o g n e , — a
other
time.
paramount
will
w h a t
exceptional,
shall proceed
let us
themselves
Duchenne,
various
of
artists
all times
body,
voluntary
w e
seriously
only
of
is a n
a long
only enter
m o t o r y mechanism
have
of
the
for the
I n
of the
also
can
last
same ;
studied
the
are
w e
attention
cannot
m o v e m e n t s
express attention,
here,
that
of
pyramidal, the
mus-
eye-lids,
muscle
of
P S Y C H O L O G Y
i6
OF
A T T E N T I O N .
menace; the zygomaticus major, the muscle of laughter;
the eye-brow-muscle, the muscle of grief; the
of the
lips,
the
D u c h e n n e
the
the
example
expression
explicable
use
of
of c o n t e m p t ;
and
so
on.
Still,
limited himself to stating merely the facts ; in
this following
that
muscle
triangular
fact.
the
of
J.
Miiller,
w h o
o f t h e e m o t i o n s is a
D a r w i n
w e n t
comparative
laborious
researches,
different
mechanisms
still
m e t h o d ,
he
completely i n -
further.
a n d
investigated
of expression
declared
M a k i n g
relying
the
; he
u p o n
origin
tried
of
the
hard
to
establish w h y the contraction of a certain given
muscle
of
certain
the
face,
given
state
I n
the
attempts
have
k n o w n
w e
of
to
a
necessarily
of
explain the
L e t
to external
internal
events
Attention
us
see,
T h i s
muscle,
w h i c h
to
occupies
skin
at
of the
the
back
a
f e w transversal
to
consequently the eye
of
t e m p t e d
the
its
is
way,
to
un-
w h a t
t w o f o r m s ;
as
proper),
to
it m o r e
the
the
part
produces
sion
i n
eye-brow
draws
in m a n y
s u m m a r y
all
w o u l d
is it possible
(attention
contracts
it
and
of attention
or
precisely,
itself
the
of
w h o l e region of
and
the
m o u t h
skull.
w r i n k l e s o n
opens
the
well
wide.
attention produces
lips,
k i n d
of
to e x p l a i n
this facial
play b y
and
forehead;
I n
close
pouting.
it,
con-
illuminated.
adults
a
point
I n
lifts
the
under
its fixed
eyebrow,
is w i d e o p e n a n d
cases the
w e
occipitio-frontalis.
its m o b i l e p o i n t of insertion i n the
of the
extreme
i n a
m a r k
tracting,
In
investigations
indeed,
attention
order
call it sensorial)
insertion
a
(reflection).
(in
forehead, has
w i t h
w h e e l - w o r k of w h i c h
objects
shall
of
m e c h a n i s m
the
concerning
applied
m i n u t e
H o w ,
mechanism,
to us ?
surface
these
premature.
k n o w
associated
m i n d .
absence
been
explain
is
children
a
Preyer
protruhas
at-
hereditary
i n -
S P O N T A N E O U S
fluence.
" A l l
animals,"
attention to the search
A
he
T T E N T I O N .
says,
for food.
"first
17
direct
their
T h e objects that
their
lips, their feelers, their proboscis, a n d their t o n g u e
can
reach,
in-
are
those
vestigations
search
w i t h
are
reference
made.
for, food,
consequently,
of
pendants.
the
be
I n suckling,
f o r w a r d . "
f o r m e d
and
the
activity
T h e
act
almost
a
the
space
the
the
energy.
is w i t h i n .
the
m o d e
the
attitude of
i n w h i c h
objects
grasp.*
of t h e
I t
appro-
w o u l d
m o u t h
in another,
acts o n
the
eye-brows : the
to the
face
eye
or-
eye-brow.
are
f o r m e d
i n
is v e i l e d
or
T h i s
an
and
superior
lowers the
vertical folds
to
of
the
itself
w r i n k l i n g
expression
if to
each
is w i t h o u t ,
explains b y
reflection expresses
internal
w e
entire b o d y — o f
w i t h
D a r w i n
of
sus-
describe
that
only
there
are,
the head,
t h e m
reflec-
an
analogy
itself.
I t
transferred f r o m
events
have
face; but
to
to w h a t
difficult vision,
H i t h e r t o
impossible
vary
of the
a
effort.
to w h a t
ments
its
an association
m o v e m e n t s
all
b y
infant
T h e m o u t h is c l o s e d , as
adapts
nal
of
of the
is e x p r e s s e d
i m p a r t s
A t t e n t i o n
tion
and
closed, or it looks within.
intellectual
of, a n d
attention.
small
between
eye-brows
an
m o u t h
first
first
accompanied
m o u t h
of the eye-lids and
consequence,
completely
tain
the
contrary manner.
As
of
of
the
of reflection
bicular muscle
is
I n this m a n n e r
b e t w e e n
their
A l l e x a m i n a t i o n
preponderating activity
trudes
to w h i c h
spoken
difficult
of
besides
exter-
the
detail,
these,
because
I n general
a
to
m o v e -
trunk, and limbs.
i n
a n i m a l species.f
are
is
those
I t is
they
state of
* F o r d e t a i l s s e e : D a r w i n , " E x p r e s s i o n o f the E m o t i o n s , " C h a p . X ;
P r e y e r , " T h e M i n d o f t h e C h i l d , " p . 250, et s e q q . ; M a n t e g a z z a , " La physionomie,"
Chap. X V I .
t A n e x c e l l e n t s t u d y o f t h e e x p r e s s i o n o f a t t e n t i o n i n a n i m a l s w i l l be f o u n d
i n R i c a r d i , " Saggio
di studi
e di osservazioni
interno
alV attenzione
mil*
totno
e negli
animalir
M o d e n a , 1877, (second p a r t , p. 1-17).
18
P S Y C H O L O G Y
OF
A
T T E N T I O N .
immobility sets in, adaptation of eyes, ears, and of
touch,
as
the
tendency
case
m a y
t o w a r d unity
h a p p e n
go
diffusion of
together.
culations
an
of
of
discernible
five
a
m i n u t e ,
each
the
audience
form,
is at
scratch
and
This,
ments
find
that
about
is
rub
an
expenditure,
n u m b e r
of
and
more
in
acting u p o n
our
act
t h r o u g h
also
receives
the
to
to
A
a race,
r a p i d walk,
w o r d s ;
chanical
as
the
an
intoxication.
M . F£r6,
w h i c h
w e
helps
forehead,
their
arms
fashion.
e c o n o m y
T h e
of
movephe-
external s u r r o u n d i n g s ;
they
sense
it receives
of
u p o n
as
the
T h e
cannot
B a i n
says,
* See h i s b o o k , " S e n s a t i o n a n d M o v e m e n t . "
activity.
flow
a
here,*
brain,
sensorial
brain's
experimental
quote
the
all other
also q u i c k e n the
they produce,
fro
rhythmical
not
M a n y
mechanical
increase
will
rapid.
reflected
and
m o v e
simple
muscular
t h e m
impressions,
not
were
E v e r y -
its
B u t it is a p r o f i t a b l e e x p e n d i t u r e .
thus
they
strike their
incessant,
nomena,
of
of
movements.
eyes,
an
attention
besides
w a l k i n g
others
forty-
m o v e m e n t
the
least,
in
are
and
the
and
clearly
objection.
b y
their
p r o d u c e d
w h i c h
an
accompanied
p e r p l e x i t y ;
indeed,
motion.
one-half;
at
long
one
aroused,
attention,
to
of
b y
of
times,
anticipate
their head,
legs
been
to a
very u n i f o r m :
average
Several
that
seem
was
cal-
observed
m o v e m e n t s
less p r o l o n g e d , shorter
times
out
an
of
move-
and
H e
listening
a
m o v e m e n t s
observations
this subject.
n u m b e r
say
incidentally
k n o w s
t h e m
or,
decreased
body
diffusion of
the
audience
h a v i n g
less e x t e n d e d ,
people
recall
T h e
person.
m o v e m e n t s
m a y
and
fifty persons,
i n the
for
I
us
lecture.
is
Con-
and concentration of
G a l t o n u p o n
audience
tiresome
ideas
L e t
there
of action—convergence.
centration of consciousness
ments,
: i n a w o r d ,
of
ideas
sort of
me-
researches
furnish
n u -
S P O N T A N E 0 US
A
T T E N T I O N .
i $
merous instances of the dynamogenetic action of movements.
w o r k
W e
; that
stretch
is, w e
m o v e m e n t s
in
cases,
to restore
that
the
mental
they
result
simply
and
arouse
the
m o t o r
centres.
u p o n
been
of
and
able,
not
b y
n o w
m o v e m e n t s
reviving
A n d i t is to
concentrate
with
in
its clearest
Are
and
the
the
necessary
we
ments,
the
and
second
partially
study
of
chapter,
we
for the
are
will
n o w
show
of
awhile
the
u p o n
T h e
?
is, to
ness
and
it to us
attention,
mechanism,
the
least
on
question
and
the
the
accom-
marks,
as
is
contrary,
W i t h o u t
we
the
point
are
the
hesitation
move-
in
a
position
maintained
reserved
i n a n e w
it
prin-
elements,
being
the
b y
have
the
the
for
aspect),
essential
seems
(the
an
other
still
since
feature of
the
proper
to
dwell
m o v e m e n t s
in
atten-
appropriate state of
reinforce it.
it
a
subject.
maintain
to
is
attention.
f u n d a m e n t a l role of the
tion
I t
Totally suppress
attention,
t o u c h i n g u p o n
m e c h a n i s m
attention;
body,
constituent
suppress
t i m e
the
they,
thesis.
to establish
v o l u n t a r y
the
p u t
o u t w a r d
attention
y o u totally
A l t h o u g h
only
the
f a c t o r s of
accept
increase
modifications that
are
conditions,
indispensable
to
:
face,
effects,
Or,
to
terms
of the
simply
?
observed,
to this p o i n t w e
prepared
simplest
supposed
be
real part sustained
U p
respiratory
attention,
usually
the
n o w
the m o v e m e n t s
limbs,
p a n y
and
have
only.
determine
are
begin
Passive
subject-matter.
i n attention.
ones ; w e
to
m o t o r y i m -
is
limited ourselves to describing t h e m — a t
cipal
legs
members,
m o v e m e n t s
to
it
operation
must
paralyzed
these
provide
preliminary
the
arms
lost activity.
activity,
W e
our
impressed
certain
ages,
out
will
be
B u t
as
this
preferable
to
conscious-
is a q u e s t i o n
of
approach
the
P S 3
problem
w h a t
an
C H O L O G Y
f r o m
takes
A s
place
an
A
its physiological
a
T T E N T I O N .
side,
i n the brain,
intellectual a n d
i.
OF
b y an
inquiry
into
i n its double capacity of
m o t o r y
organ.
intellectual organ
the brain serves
as
sub-
stratum to perceptions ( i n sensorial attention),
images,
and
nervous
ideas
(in reflection).
elements
that
superior
work.
Attention
as
the
i n w h i c h
Maudsley,
will
it plays
" i s
sensory
any
rate
furnish,
numerous
nerve
to
the
a part.
w h i c h
is t h e r e b y i n c r e a s e d .
gation
of
are
p u t
into
a
the
another."*
T h e
2.
A s
which,
according to
the
the
I n the
that
a c c o m p a n y
either
if not
to the
sensations
first
the
far,
at
of
propathe
affected sense
reflex
action,
and
accordance
strengthen
H a r t m a n n ,
nerves,"
sensible
one
" c o n -
i n a
nerve-
nerves,
B u t t h e r e is
organ
the
brain
plays
place, it inaugurates
perceptions,
brain
of
along
sensibility
images,
a
the
pro-
another
or
b y w a y
of
m o v e m e n t s ;
the
the
ideas;
muscular
latter
c o m p l e x
m o v e m e n t s
wards, these m o v e m e n t s , w h i c h f r e q u e n t l y are
return
so
i n
importance.
m o t o r
role.
says
g a n g l i o n is t h a t
feelings
traversing
of equal
a
or,
tension b y
associated
Attention,
psychom-
result of this
ceeds f r o m centre to periphery.f
element
of
is p r o p a g a t e d
sists i n m a t e r i a l v i b r a t i o n s of
current,
innervation,
the feeling of attention, i n
l a w that
a
molecular change
i n connection w i t h
thereby increase
w i t h
b y a
action to the
certain
average,
" A n active idea,"
ganglion, the
w h i c h
molecular
an
intense
to its periphery,
sensory
different muscles
an
on
the
experiments
accompanied
the nervous elements,
the
hypothesis,
certainly causes
p r o v e d b y
etry,
act
B y
after-
intense,
sense
increase
* L o c . c i t . , p . 313.
t P h i l o s o p h i c de Vinconscient,
trad.
Nolen,
V o l . I , p . 145; V o l . I I , p . 65
as
the
S P O N T A N E OUS
quantity
of available energy,
serves to
on
the
the
f o r m
ing
and
h a n d
m a i n t a i n or to reinforce consciousness,
and,
centre
etc.
the
T h e
jective
ganic
us.
intensity of
this
bored
at
the
w h e n
w h e n
the
taneous
state
w o u l d
visual
this
rapidly
tention
again
could
an
last
w i t h
all
change
that
at
is
periphery,
but
the
of
the
vanish.
music,
and
convergence
" T h e
these
w h o
body.
impression
between
and v o l u n t a r y m o v e m e n t , " says W u n d t ,
reaction
(the original source of the
I n
m o v e m e n t ,
v o l u n t a r y
the
m a i n
e x c i t a t i o n is t o w a r d t h e
muscles
only
act
is,
instan-
w h o l e
difference
i n the preponderant
is
atten-
that
an
the
or-
teaches
occurs;
the
to
c o m -
is all
produced
eyes
sub-
B u t
Opera,
sensitive parts
the
centre,
experience
the
has
c o m -
hypothesis,
of scenery
impression
organic
sists essentially
central
to
without
untenable
unintelligibility of the
a sudden
going and
periphery to
centre
spectator
adaptation
W i t h o u t
constant
this complicated work.
is
naive
the
starting-point in
consciousness
of
i n disaccord
T h e
is a
strengthened
that
on
original
to periphery, f r o m
conditions,
pletely
its
there
expression
suppose
to
w h i c h
m o v e m e n t .
this m a n n e r
f r o m
tion
returns
of a fresh
f r o m
T T E N T I O N .
one
other,
I n
A
at-
" c o n -
u p o n
the
performance).
direction
muscles;
in conjunction w i t h
in
of
the
attention,
subordinate,
s y m p a t h e t i c m o v e m e n t s " ; * or, i n other t e r m s , a reflection of m o v e m e n t s
of
Maudsley, w e
tion
to
tional
be:
track
b y the
m a y
"first,
declare
the
either b y
representation
ergy
is p r o d u c e d .
the
Finally,
i n the
m e c h a n i s m
excitation of
the
proper
external presentation
; secondly,
increment
of
the
of
or
words
attenidea-
internal
i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n of its
en-
stimulus resulting f r o m
the
* Physiologische
Psychologie,
p p . 723-724 o f t h e first e d i t i o n .
is n o t f o u n d i n t h e f o l l o w i n g e d i t i o n s .
T h i s passage
P S Y C H O L O G Y
22
proper
m o t o r
cation
of
more
innervation ;
energy
the
interplay of
ing
the
the
b y
the
active perceptive
If,
activity
u p
to
thirdly,
latter,
a
and
vivid
a
subsequent
and
last
addition be
not
p e r f o r m the
reaction
perhaps
of the
be
or not
m o v e m e n t s
u p o n
to prove
the
effect of attention.
eses possible,
n a m e l y :
consciousness)
effect of the
wards
the
Still,
cause
same, or
effect of the
I
do
not
w i s h
to
w h i c h
have
import,
rather
to
the
above-stated
a
put
f o r m
p r e g n a t e d — w i t h o u t
dualism,
difficult
r i d itself; and
acts u p o n
enigma
the
is n o t
body
of
or
for m e
of
the
whether
this
brain,
T h e r e
it.
are
three
(the
the cause
this
there
originally
h y p o t h state
of
or
is
movements,
first
does
still
are
attention
between
purely
logical
question
p r o b l e m
appearing
effect, to the question,
the
choose
the
the
traditional
to
conver-
a d m i t t i n g
m o v e m e n t s
i t is
the
consciousness
that,
of the
rep-
and
it
after-
movements.
hypotheses
but
the
either,
is t h e
and
little,
:
with
in
it s i m p l y profits b y
is n o t h i n g
simple
but
repercussion
interposed
that
augment-
f o r m e r weak
energetic,
I t matters
operation;
factor—
ordinary state
m o v e m e n t s ;
moreover
conscious
the
l i m i t . " *
representation,
and
of
m o t o r
factors
i n the
f e w
produced.
m a y
find
intensifi-
reaction
the
m o t o r
certain
w e
but
movements,
m o v e m e n t s
the
a further
accordingly, w e c o m p a r e the
resentations,
It
A T T E N T I O N .
centre u p o n
sensory
state of attention,
gent
OF
w h i c h
the
whether
the
to
to
and
dialectic
I n
is
thoroughly
i m -
be
s o — w i t h
that
p r o b l e m
u p o n
the
finds
is
in attention
T o
three
otherwise.
psychology
body
solve.
these
it
so
reduced,
i n
the soul
the
eye
soul.
of
first
T h i s
physio-
logical p s y c h o l o g y there exist o n l y i n t e r n a l states, differing a m o n g each
* L o c . c i t . , p . 316.
other
as
well by their peculiar
qualities
S P O N T A N E OUS
as
by
their physical
state p r o d u c e d
pression,
T T E N T I O N .
concomitants.
is w e a k ,
physical
and
m a r k e d
by
modifications, then
maintained
abstracto,
as
is, t h a t
a purely
I f the
brief, w i t h o u t
t h e n i t is n o t a t t e n t i o n .
well-defined,
here
A
perceptible
I f i t is s t r o n g ,
the
i t is a t t e n t i o n .
attention
i n w a r d
of
at
the
opera.
eyes, head,
does
event:
cerebral
thus
limbs,
circulation,
conscious
b r a i n ;
Abstract f r o m
body,
reaction
and
that
of all these
w h i c h
despoiled and
and
is
emptied,
i t is
the
of
is n o
ness,
shadow
of that
this
will
better
than
are
example,
disquisitions.
neither
the
their
that
state
subjective
T h e
thing
effects nor
reader,
m o r e
will
of
they
are
however,
a
but
c o m p l e t e d
un-
u p o n
the
whole,
W e
it
I f
hope
m a y
seem,
of this
point
manifestations
elements
w h i c h
to regard
outline, or
later
or
;
together
constitutes
attention.
is n o t
r o u g h
and
conscious-
been.
m o t o r y
consciousness,
side,
than
be
T h e
spec-
attention.
far-fetched
causes,
our
adaptation
state of
has
i n
concrete
original
contribute to an understanding
long
w i t h
however
a
conscious
longer
i t is a n e p h e m e r a l
that
exist
T a k e
the
remain,
w h i c h
p o i n t
of respiration
anything
the
not
phenomena
left
stable,
T h e
h i m the
changes
etc.,
ex-
before-mentioned
state, a p s y c h o - p h y s i o l o g i c a l c o m p l e x .
tator
intellectual
on.
this
as
any-
provisional
view,
Thus,
w e
have
not
s p o k e n o f t h e f e e l i n g o f effort, b e c a u s e i t is v e r y rare
spontaneous
part
sustained
attention,
b y
the
if
met
w i t h
movements
portant to justify repeated
at
is
all.
i n
B u t
the
sufficiently
i m -
investigations of the
subject.
in.
T H E
state of surprise or astonishment
attention
are
n o w
augmented
i n order.
; a
f e w words w i t h
A l t h o u g h
is
spontaneous
reference
to it
of frequent occurrence
in
2
P S Y C H O L O G Y
4
every-day
find,
life,
it has
however,
OF
been
i n the
A T T E N T I O N .
forgotten b y
T r a i t e
des
psychology.
passions
of
(Part I I , A r t . 70) the following definition :
is a
sudden
sider
w i t h
frequent
surprise
the
and
object
the
as
impression
the
rests,
f r o m
the
rare,
are
disposed
locality
thence
into
in order
brain
that,
i n the
brain
if originally
as
w o r t h y
the
b y
that
force
to-
impression
it there
impression, to
serve
of
place
great
preserve
that
same
represent-
b y virtue of
w i t h
un-
place,
w h i c h
i n w h i c h
muscles
first
second
t h r o u g h that
the
the
i n the
and
con-
to it appear
i n
our
tend
to strengthen
also disposed,
" A d m i r a t i o n
consequently
to
of the
sensory organs
are,
and
i n
of our thoughts,
i n order
they are
impression
Descartes
causes it to
that
T h u s ,
consideration ; and
m o v e m e n t
w a r d
objects
extraordinary.
by
exceptional
the
soul, w h i c h
attention those
it is c a u s e d
ing
of the
I
to
j
as
pass
maintain
position i n w h i c h
they
f o r m e d b y the organs of
sense, the i m p r e s s i o n m a y be f u r t h e r p r o l o n g e d b y their
support."
If
w e
I t will repay
carefully peruse
ance
being
nearly
point
m a d e
all the
out
for
us,
it, w e
shall
slight
elements
in the
well to ponder
w h i c h
m e c h a n i s m
of nervous
sion ; its
action
" t o
of
w e
muscles
ical psychology
ogy,
w h i c h
quite
Surprise,
shock
and
t o w a r d
order
of treatment
that
is
a u g m e n impres-
muscles;
" t o
as i f , f o r e x a m p l e ,
w h i c h
and
remark,
that
m a y
that
of
physiolog-
of spiritualistic
a person
is n e w
the
s u p p o r t "
to
psychol-
h i m .
i n a higher degree astonishment,
b y that
to
attention,
of the
the
i m p r o p e r l y lays claim
and
produced
i n
not
language,
; n a m e l y : — t h e
Incidentally w e
m e t h o d
of
allow-
endeavored
influx i n consequence
strengthen."
Descartes's
have
due
of spontaneous
partial conduction
these
that
differences
are therein clearly e n u m e r a t e d
tation
find
this passage.
a n d
is
a
unexpected
;
w h o travels little and
w h o m
S P O N T A N E O U S
I
believe
miles
to
away,
F r o m
the
home,
m e n t a l
form,
an
between
hiatus.
vious
m y
to the
a
a
there
g r o u p
state,
states,
the
as
an
m o m e n t
giant,
into
state
others,
finds
and equilibrium
surprise
it
is
its place,
h a v i n g
attention,
adaptation
h a v i n g
tellectual
element
emotional
element.
an
have
too
had
F r o m
the
aggeration
w e
have
slightly
prise,
the
they
eyes
w i t h
the
be
i n
" i s
and
the
is a n
very
the
pre-
n e w
state
struggle
for life
into
the
going
degrees
connection
state
time to take
the
that
the
w i t h
;
but
follows
m o n o i d e i s m —
place.
upper
T h e
h a n d
probable,
in-
over
that
imperfect k n o w l e d g e
side
the
attention.
s h o w n
as
b y
this
to
and
s y m p t o m s
the
i n
the
because
a
m u c h
of surprise
felt."*
instinctive act;
rapidly.
increases
greater
are
A s
to
ex-
extent,
opened
as
being
into
T h e
surw i t h
degree
corresponds
T h i s raising of
because
it
an
eyebrows
open.
m o u t h
are
" A t t e n t i o n , "
the
state
individuals b o r n blind :
opened
gap,
the
B y
con-
a
because
adjusted
m o u t h widely
eyes
speak-
sensation.
raised
the degree
eye-brows
w i t h
are
and
to w h i c h
an
be
and
intermediate
shock
away,
of spontaneous
raised;
to
Properly
of
I t is h i g h l y
physical
seen,
little
rupture,
the
regains
m u c h
is
abrupt
is p u t
is,
state of surprise w e have
w e
h u n d r e d
tends to be re-established
passed
that
six
of E m o t i o n s ,
o n a m o n g the states of consciousness.
n e w
25
room.
polyideism abruptly ends,
rushes in, like
or
i t is a c o m m o t i o n .
t w o
A t
five
standpoint,
it is n o t so m u c h
dition
some
enters
I t belongs
its strong
ing,
at
suddenly
said of it.
in
be
A T T E N T I O N .
i t is also
allows
the
the
opening
* D a r w i n ' T h e Expression of the E m o t i o n s ' (Chap. X I I ) .
o r i g i n o f these d i v e r s e m o v e m e n t s is discussed t h e r e .
the
met
eyes
of
to
the
T h e probable
26
P S YCH
O L O G Y
OF
A
T T E N T I O N .
m o u t h , it permits a vigorous and deep inspiration, which
w e
are
always
W e
have
tion
w o n t to
said,
that
augmented.
I
fectly allowable.
tional
causes of
latter
there
to
terror,
degree
to
are
but
n o w
thus
of
been
exemplifies the
m a y assert
states
aside
life,
see
that
the
point
and
very
and
evoked,
only
high
that
its p r i m i t i v e
up
w i t h
the
most
Attention,
f r o m
T h e
that
the
habit of
origin
the
i n their t u r n
w i t h
of
the
of
m a n
the
first,
psychologists
and
it
is
even
i n
caused
its
that w h i c h
last
lies
easily
facts
being
will
I n order
senses
his
and
an-
deep-
enable
attentive
of the
i n
f o r m s
a
that
the
still—
I
of
pretext
leave
psychic
for
attention
at least w i l l
a competent
previously
us
foremost
and descend lower
afford
b y
self-preservation.
r u d i m e n t a r y
i n
are
scale of a n i m a l life.
developed
Riccardi,
forms
exacting
concealed
appetites,
leave
too
of
caused
p o w e r
the
we
p r i o r i " t h a t i f a t t e n t i o n is
a f e w clear perceptions,
apparatus.
w h i c h
origin.
aberrations.
a f e w
f r o m
been an advantage
very l o w — i n
w h i c h
quisite,
to
its
e x a m i n a t i o n
completely
jectures
of a
and
b o u n d up
but w e must
indeed,
the
surprise,
to v o l u n t a r y attention
and
struggle for life has
order;
to
see,
life.
" a
needs,
r a p i d
to
emo-
finally to fright
i n the i n d i v i d u a l — t h e instinct of
better
per-
attention; for, f r o m
manifestations,
alysis inseparably
A
is
to
e m o t i o n a l states, w h i c h
est
best
the
a biological value.
tendencies,
be
to
b o u n d
a n i m a l
its h i g h e r
W e
assertion
gradation
able
restrict themselves
to
atten-
this
emotional
is v e r y h u m b l e ,
actually
then
by
back
w e
conditions
had
effort.
that
insensible
are
great
intensity.
attention
have
state
any
is s p o n t a n e o u s
to stupefaction, and
B r o u g h t
started,
believe
spontaneous
w h i c h
of
before
surprise
T h i s
is a n
astonishment,
m a k e
be
concan
re-
m o t o r
m e n t i o n e d
S P O N T A N E O U S
work,
finds
the
first
clear
A T T E N T I O N .
expression
of
27
attention
i n
A r t h r o p o d a .
A n y
a n i m a l so o r g a n i z e d
external
whose
w o r l d
were
all
consciousness
same
level,
inducing
an
ceedingly
shall
w i t h o u t
sions ;
all
single
for
an
for
its
inance
T h e
thus
w i t h nutrition,
self-defence,
species.
impressions
to be avoided,
to
fecundated,
be
ness
of
the
Attention,
u p o n
of
H e r e
scend
to
w e
these
and
of
at
the
always
ronment.
in
perish,
connected
of
caught,
adapted
of
the
sense
of
forms,
:—attention
preserve
this
ceasing
female
and
dependent
w i t h
the
sense
of
the
sight,
species.
and
here it
necessary
i n
order
is a
to
to
a
condition of
factor of
environment
adaptation
i s u n i t y of
besides, a m o n g
its
adapta-
social
I n all the f o r m s of attention, f r o m the
there
i n
it becomes,
in the
de-
grasp
identical character
to be
an
movements.
to
I t was
the
conscious-
of touch,
according
con-
p r e d o m -
the
connected
r u d i m e n t a r y
a factor of
highest,
A n d
to be
i n all its simplicity,
purely physical
s h a l l see,
must
the propagation
service
instruction.
forms, where,
in a
to the
is s e e n
its p o w e r
it will
impres-
viz.: the
settled
their
smelling,
most
reason
higher
tion
of
attention
affords the
life;
w i t h
I
p r e d o m i -
is, o f t h o s e
of prey
or
ex-
k i n d of incorporate
and
become
perfectly developed,
hearing,
the
is
necessities;
most
w h i c h
and f r o m t i m e to time, of a
animal
thus,
i n
usual case remains,
enemy
the
preservation.
constituted
of useful sensations, that
T h e
it, in
u p o n
favor detrimental
being an illogical o r g a n i s m — a
tradiction.
to
the
predominating
o w n
case,
w o u l d
animal
one
stood
of
m o t o r y adaptation—were
extreme
adaptation
significance
impressions
any
ill-equipped
nance and
the impressions
of equal
appropriate
overlook the
that
as
envilowest
composition.
the highest-class animals
even,
28
P S Y C H O L O G Y
OF
a t t e n t i o n loses its l i m i t e d
and
great
the
in
m a j o r i t y of
n a r r o w
this
p e n d e d
so
circle
their
intelligent
have
important,
source
masters
tentive
for
the
w h e n
same
Sikorski,
are
has
feeding,
of
art.
an
amuse
see
i n
g a m e ;
and
s h o w n
that
m a i n l y developed
* R e v u e Philosophigue
%
A p r i l , 1885.
have
need
m a d e
of
manner,
m a k i n g
close observer
their
through
T h e
is
play
exis
the
there
Dogs,
b e c o m e
that
at-
preparations
of
activity and
play.*
most
w h i c h
l u x u r y
for luxury.
latter
a
within
sleeping;
manifestation
a certain
the
T h e
activity, w h i c h
this
attention
confined
expended.
authors
T o
are
propagating,
p l a y — a
several
of
they
species
superfluous
f o r m
that
material character.
a c t i v i t y is
a
also corresponds
their
of
entire
in the
original
a n i m a l
A T T E N T I O N .
children,
attention
C H A P T E R
I I .
VOLUNTARY ATTENTION*
VOLUNTARY
art,
or artificial attention is a product of
of education,
grafted,
as
tention,
and
istence,
as
it were,
finds
the
has
been
ject
acts by
the
subject
no
i n
acts
t h r o u g h
chosen,
I n
by
totally
and
t w o
antithetic ;
T h e
m a x i m u m
the
one
attraction,
w h i c h
a definite
point
of
w h i c h it
attention
that
the
ob-
attention
is,
t h r o u g h
attention
the
a i m
circumstances;
least,
ex-
submitted
ourselves to
it
is
to ;
it
it, and
b y
r u n n i n g
T h e y
other
in
w h i c h ,
are
the
direction
of
in the
direction
of
constitute
all possible
a
of spontaneous
of voluntary attention
the
at
and
accompanied
m a x i m u m
of
the
degrees
in theory
t w o
are
at
polar
found,
least,
the
meet.
A l t h o u g h
that
into
is
at-
means for maintaining the state;
between
f o r m s
f o r m
at
of adapting
greatest resistance.
w i t h
the
the
strongest
limits
or
or,
natural
i n voluntary
v o l u n t a r y a t t e n t i o n is a l w a y s
attention
the
stock,
extrinsic,
hazard
certain feeling of effort.
the
the
or
I t
conditions
voluntary
accepted
the proper
hence
in
its
I n spontaneous
is m a i n l y a q u e s t i o n
finding
latter
does
powers.
set
of training.
spontaneous
the
graft
and
its intrinsic p o w e r ;
longer
willed,
direction,
u p o n
inserted.
superadded
is
of
voluntary
attention
psychologists
m a j o r i t y it constitutes
have
is
almost
studied,
and
all of attention,
the
only
though
its
to
mechan-
30
P S Y C H O L O G Y
ism,
In
nevertheless,
a t t e m p t i n g
w e
is
first
propose
f o r m e d ,
study
the
and
to
bition,
A
T T E N T I O J S t .
not been any better
arrive
at
some
to investigate
inquire into
the
h o w
voluntary
its genesis;
p h e n o m e n a
w h i c h ,
in
mechanism
our
of
of
understood.
comprehension
feeling of effort by w h i c h
finally
the
to
has
OF
arrested
opinion, play
a
it,
attention
then
i t is
of
w e
shall
accompanied,
m o t i o n or
inhi-
principal part
in
attention.
i.
T h e
process
formed,
m a y
m u l a : T o
by
t h r o u g h
be
reduced
render
nature;
to
w h i c h
to
the
attractive,
give
an
b y
the
ordinary
following
artifice, w h a t
I use
the w o r d
s e n s e , as e q u i v a l e n t
to
only
kept
alert
by
the
of objects
agreeable,
mixed
action
states.
W i t h this difference however,
ings
that
sustain
not
spontaneous,
T h e
whole
finding
of
ever,
will
attention
is the
order
untary
as*- i n
question,
are
its
prove
properly to
D u r i n g
the
the higher
the
the
that
interest"
periphrase
B u t the
is,
b y
:
m i n d
or
emotional
that here the feel-
acquired,
primitive
not
so
manifestations.
is
if the
superadded,
reduced
latter
be
to
the
w a n t i n g ,
appear.
in general;
in
practice,
how-
infinitely diversified.
attention,
and
does
for-
disagreeable,
it, that
accordingly,
process
it becomes
In
dren
attention,
effective m o t i v e s ;
voluntary
Such
u p o n
is
is n o t
''
the
a n y t h i n g that keeps the m i n d o n the alert.
is
single
a r t i f i c i a l i n t e r e s t ,to t h i n g s
have not a natural interest.
in
v o l u n t a r y attention
most
understand
best
w a y
animals.
the
will
T h e
genesis
be
to
of
study
simplest
volchil-
examples
instructive.
earliest
period
of
its life
the
child
is
V O L
only
capable
gaze
only
its
of
u p o n
mother
m o n t h
ing
(Preyer).
nurse.
to
rest
fixing
the
of
Preyer calls
i
point, this
of
the
by
or
place
w h i c h
w h i c h
rather
the
of
at
place.
of
impulsive
less
the
f o r m ;
D r .
emotion
indeed,
interestto
that
more
w h i c h
intense
m a r k e d
in the
is
as
chiefly
being
claims
the
a power
i m m o b i l i t y
"aston-
of
strik-
accustomed
to
tative
m i n d
l o n g as
the
epoch,
attention,
f r o m
the
appearance
have
of
noticed in-
m o n t h ,
inhibition
but
it
in
its
appears
one
objects'
psychic life thus
object
power
that
to
is,
remains
the
another,
is
of attraction.
in the
transfer
non-attractive
under
* Sikorski:
objects,
the
influence
Le Developpement
A p r i l , 1885.)
can
only
of
psyckique
be
ten-
of
the
determined
T h e
birth
only
of
untary attention, the power of fastening the m i n d
phigue,
i m -
later.
So
force,
to
I t is a l m o s t
first
fifth
the
characterized
of respiration—a
period the
t o w a r d
high-
accompanies
of children."*
w h a t
in-
w h i c h
A t its
7
the
concern.
Sikorski,
that
after
Preyer
will
allow-
becomes
b y
its
third
in regard
Attention
to
suspension
rapid respiration
to tell,
the
degrees
a temporary
attention,
the
dications
faces of
is o f least
later
muscles.
A c c o r d i n g
m o m e n t a r y
takes
the
b y a certain e m o t i o n a l state,
p h e n o m e n o n
m u c h
to that
gaze,
ing
will
b y
fixes
of
less a n d
takes
state produces
process
possible
objects
same
various
muscles.
the
end
the e m o t i o n of astonishment.
est
psychic
the
of vision,
u p o n
is a c c o m p a n i e d
ishment,
u p o n
is o u t w a r d l y expressed
contraction
fant
and
3i
I t
t h e r e is a s l o w t r a n s i t i o n f r o m
of
attention,
by
field
of greatest concern
T h e
attention.
T o w a r d
its
T h e
other senses;
T T E N T I O N .
spontaneous
it explores
its eyes
A
shining objects,
or
ing
is
U N T A R Y
volu p o n
accomplished
education,
de V Enfant.
whether
{Revue
b y
de-
Philoso*
32
P S Y C H O L O G Y
rived
f r o m
rived
f r o m
strable,
A
of
m e n
or
men,
b u t
OF
things
is, o f course,
i t is n o t
the
its m i n d
traction
for i t ;
pictures
in a
but
it
book.
the
will
tell
child
y o u . "
finally
do
demon-
that
w i t h
incapable
have
no
eagerness
those pictures
upon
m e a n ? "
a
u p ;
f e w talks
at
first
it
of
be
and
finally
checked.
evinces
I n
this w e
esis o f v o l u n t a r y
u p o n
a
and
desire
sets
i m m e d i a t e
end
an
t i o n — a n d
in
kind
about
an
T h e
" A
w e n t
repeat
remained
there
tion,
seeing
study.
a page
wish
piano
that
at
finding
G e r m a n ;
another
this
case
time
* B . Perez : VEnfant
of
grafted
de trois
been
the
old, habitually
very
its
of its o w n
m o t h e r ;
T h e
and
y o u
same
seated
d o i n g ? '
child
i t is n o t
about
it
at
some
itself
i n
asked
its
the
a m
very a m u s i n g ;
but
surprise.' "
H e r e
voluntary
sympathetic,
a sept ans, p. 108.
and
child,
there.
ac-
' I
genesis of
a
caught
f r o m
the
u p o n
attrac-
example
day,
step
an
been
one
to give M a m m a a pleasant
not
has
hour.
are
does
m e a n s to
its brother engaged
' W h a t
of
has
first
pleased
for over an
astonished
doing
have
air
years
holiday-duties, entered
father's
nurse,
six
artificial
that
as a
f o l l o w i n g is a n o t h e r
to the
an
the age of seven,
his
desire
b o r r o w e d
the
to
graft
attraction, but
child
needs
necessary to
a
of
to its
gen-
operation
k i n d
the
of the
t h a t is sufficient : the c h i l d
Perez.*
cord, to
I
is
that
instance
direct,
a w h e e l - w o r k , as i t w e r e , a n d
inattentive,
of
an
I t was
attraction—a
accomplished.
B.
have
and
R e a d i n g
possess an
it has
eagerness
attention.
natural
indirect.
an
the
this
task lazily, but afterwards it becomes accustomed
work,
at-
y o u k n o w h o w to read,
After
gives
r e a d ; i t is
letters
gaze
" W h a t
easily
de-
kind.
u p o n
will
Education,
most
h o w to
Its father answers : " W h e n
book
the
only
fixed
T T E N T I O N .
external
child refuses to learn
keeping
A
we
atten-
and
not
V O L
u p o n
U
a purely
T h e
piano
ously
through
I n
A
R
the
m e d i u m
every
;
A
T
T
this
of
E
N
I
the
if possible,
to
as
forth
and
to
artifice
to
more
the
that
it naturally
cate
three
the
simple
and
first
I call
D u r i n g
bition,
T h e
the
success,
motives,
using
this
play,
all
the
i n
order
voluntary attention,
m y
former
them,
nature
f o r m
of
possess,
not
i n point
v i e w
of
to
time
call
that
i s , —
order
a power
of
I
n o w
shall
action
into w h i c h
indi-
volun-
H e
the
educator
employs
the
to
fear
attraction
emotions,
be
as
the
acts
well
in
only
its
forms,
of rewards,
tender
as
all
u p o n
our
appetite
of
innate
cu-
intelligence,
h o w
w e a k —
everybody.
the
and
second
period,
maintained
formation, such
interest
third
by
as
period
the
is t h a t
sustained
w o r k m a n
artificial
means
by
line,
attention
of feelings
l o v e of self,
in a practical
aroused and
class-room,
different
statement,—in
w h i c h to a certain degree—no matter
ondary
i n
natural
enumerate
puts into
period,
sympathetic
aroused
it
voluntary
A r t bends
reason
does
tendencies,
is f o u n d i n
is
of
purpose,
i n
riosity, w h i c h seems
and
maintain
falls.
feelings.
egotistic
spontane-
resulting
purpose
periods
attention
I n
to
consolidate
once
impart
tary
direct
for this
assuming
that
repeat
to
example.
artificial.
W i t h o u t
motives
their
and
33
is i n v a r i a b l y f o u n d t o be
means for another end.
its purposes,
attention,
to
f r o m
.
force.
origination
i n endless variations,
t h e m
N
and
half-success, or failure : ever grasping
diverting
O
d i d not
awaken
borrowed
mechanism
T
i n the former
lesson
they
of a
instance
s a m e , — b u t
Y
G e r m a n
attention
the
attention
T
s e l f i s h f e e l i n g as
and
evoke
N
of
sec-
emulation,
am-
duty,
etc.
of organization;
habit.
i n his
T h e
shop,
is
the
attention
pupil
clerk
in
the
at
his
P S Y C H O L O G Y
office, the
a
rule,
and
a
tradesman behind
prefer
bition,
and
to be
second
interest
amidst
rest;
of
certain
causes;
habitual
and
such
people
placed
the
untary
ence
never
only
animal
through
this
cannot
at
simple
caresses,
of
his
i n
training ;
disposal
character.
habit.
also i n
H e
u p o n
privation of food, violence,
and
in
m a n n e r
he
teachable
m a n , "
plays,
says
used
Zoological
offered
to
purchase
give
at
double
or four of t h e m
one.
W h e n
asked
soon
whether
good
actor,
he
the
for a
h o w
D e s c e n t of M a n , " V o l . I
price,
could
m o n k e y
that
as
for
if he
i n
a m o n g
to
act
f r o m
the
each ;
but
m i g h t
i n order
possibly
w o u l d
kind-
individuals.
kinds
of ^ 5
the
through
trains monkeys
f e w days
he
a particular
answered
price
the
and
animals,
c o m m o n
of
succeeds
refractory
D a r w i n , * " w h o
Society,
to
and
the
means
men,
are
influ-
here
acts
anvol-
limited
A m o n g
there
to
the
but
attentive.
M
a
fear,
this
i n
produced,
under
artifice become
*
force of
education
that
effected
prior
p e r i o d ;
become
in detail
the
through
of
is s e l d o m
certain habits,
three
all
the
third
m a k i n g the animal contract
he
it
accumulation
to
show
and
has
very
in
attitude,
s u s t a i n e d less
attention
is s i m i l a r l y
education,
action,
" A
complete.
w i t h
acquired
fixed
become
transition f r o m spontaneous attention
educator
ness,
to
is
as
am-
a
thus
refractory to
attain
voluntary
attention
of
repetition
in a certain
an
Individuals
is u n n e c e s s a r y
imals
by
h a v i n g
only intermittently, and
It
but egotism,
brings
and
t h r o u g h
motives
motives.
discipline,
all w o u l d ,
the artificial process
is p r o d u c e d
causes than
natural
else;
surroundings,
attention
counter,
created
being
present
or
have
and
fact
his
A c q u i r e d attention has
nature,
mere
A T T E N T I O N .
somewhere
lasting habit.
T h e
OF
to
select
learn
turn
it all depended
keep
on
out
so
a
their
V O L
p o w e r
T A R
of attention.
plaining
a n y t h i n g
distracted,
ject,
U N
the
m e n t
as
b y
to
a
m a k e
sulky.
O n
attended
to
on
he
the
inattentive
hand,
a
at
the
root
3 5
talking
its attention
I f
he
be
ex-
easily
trifling
tried
m o n k e y
and
was
or other
m o n k e y
could always
Accordingly,
was
wall,
hopeless.
other
h i m
T T E N T I O N .
a m o n k e y
fly
an
the
A
If, w h e n
case was
to
Y
by
act,
ob-
punishit
w h i c h
turned
carefully
trained."
of attention
w e
find
only
e m o t i o n a l states, attractive or repulsive tendencies.
I n
the
spontaneous
I n
the
voluntary f o r m ,
ence,
that
here
complex
and
perience
f r o m
tary
been
f r o m
fear
or
the
f r o m
tion
very
their
scattered
evoke
attention
facts.
that
rivative
and
of
please ; by
will
* Diet,
his
I
I
acquired
w i t h o u t
scient.
phil.
y
I
turns
concentrate
sustain
is
it
I
or
u p o n
at
once
be
left
to
of
conformable
to
it w o u l d
only
to the
it t o w a r d
point,
one
as
dethat
foundasuperior
i t , as
I
different
long
I f this be not a
"Attention."
seem,,
only a
w i t h d r a w
each
clerk
atten-
antecedent
direct
its effort."*
2e e"dit., Art.
the
is s u b j e c t
give
the
this genesis
although
yet
all
tradesman
nothing
is
it
away
their
will
that
an
take
to
all
is
it
volun-
before
the
psychologists
form,
Ego.
alternate
can
there
confess
most
y o u
ex-
all emulation,
e m p l o y m e n t s
for
more
through
of genesis,
career,
a t t e n t i o n — w h i c h ,
the
nature
competence
" V o l u n t a r y attention
authority
points.
of
causes.
If, while
fortune to
intricate; but
regard—enters
tion.
m y
it.
A c c o r d i n g to
a
by habit,
a
a
w i n d ,
very
voluntary
they
grant
sustain
is
fixed
leave
outset
the
of
a l l l o v e of self,
distasteful
to
and
are
tendencies.
and
school-boy
only
same ; yet with this differ-
is still i n its p e r i o d
w o r k m a n ,
to
the
formation, derived
primitive
organized
the
are
feelings
slow
of punishment,
the
these
i t is the
the
of
attention
has
f o r m
as
purely
P S Y C H O L O G Y
36
conventional
rives
not
it
and
f r o m
should
be
blinded
o w n
destitute
voluntary
personal
m y genuine
b y
attention,
experience,
admiration.
of
all genius
prejudice,
difficult state
A T T E N T I O N .
fanciful description, if the author
his
w i t h h o l d
OF
if
i n
w e
its
to sustain,
and that
w e
observation,
or
not
durable
should
B u t i n truth,
of
d i d
I
de-
perceive
form,
is
that
really
actually m a n y
do
a
not
attain to it.
B u t
f o r m
if, as
w e
have
attempted
o f a t t e n t i o n is t h e
w o r k
as w e l l
as
the
difficulty further back
u p o n
them,
and
us,
so
accordingly,
of
i n imitating
higher
education
teachers, and
that
this explanation,
acted
the
that
as
o n
others
back
does
w h i c h
; for our
h a d
explain
only
teachers
previously
our-
earlier
nevertheless,
t h r o u g h the
not
w e
ex-
forces
have
only
acted
u p o n
generations.
the
w e
surround-
the education w h i c h later w e have
selves acquired
perienced,
show,
of the
have received f r o m our parents,
ings,
to
This,
primordial
genesis
voluntary attention.
H o w
then
does v o l u n t a r y
originates of necessity,
w i t h
that
the
has
same
progress
been
under
attention
is
p e r f e c t e d — a product
m o v e m e n t
that
civilization.
in the
order of m o r a l
of instincts to that of interest and d u t y ;
organization;
solute
primitive
i n the
individualism
political
to
the
m e n t : this same
o n w a r d
world,
effected
neous
tion.
In
has
also
attention
T h e
the
to
the
to
T h e
control
f r o m
individual
savagery
order,
of
it was
the
i n
state
almost
the
of
ab-
govern-
in the intellectual
transition
d o m i n a n c e
chapter
f r o m
to the
f r o m
f r o m
sponta-
v o l u n t a r y
l a t t e r is b o t h effect a n d c a u s e
preceding
pass
constitution of a
m o v e m e n t ,
the
and
instrument
has
order,
the
of
an
events
social
caused
I t
the pressure of need,
of intelligence.
progressive
originate ?
of
atten-
civilization.
p o i n t e d
out
that,
VOL
in the
tion,
U N T A R Y
state of nature
b o t h for animals
most
order
man's
i n the
development
density
T T E N T I O N .
p o w e r
and
f r o m
I n the
savage
actual causes,
tribes) there
was
state,
so
s u c h as l a c k of
only
left the
this
n e w
as m a n
task
f o r m
h a d
that
cepted
put
attention
become
as o n l y
education
became
struggle
capable
no
warlike
alternative
under
the
d i d
then
not
of short
things
this
point,
or
numerous
T h e
that
it w o u l d
savage has
bling ; for the
ardous
the
secondary
T h e
concrete,
most
the
D a r w i n
addicted
work.
to drink,
O n e
the
the
savages
instances
quote
sustained
goes
and
certain
gambling, and
the
haz-
ignores
purely
h a n d
w o r k
w i t h
is
the
attention.
even to
half-civilized
Gauchos
w h o
theft, w h y they
answered:
so
g a m -
of
i n
now, that
of
are
effort he
h a n d
agreed
authorities.
is a s e n t i m e n t
m a y note,
t h e m
flashes
of
u n k n o w n , and
manifest f o r m
of
ac-
of
b y
for hunting, war,
that
asked
only
laziness
to
idle
C o n t i n u o u s w o r k is r e p u g n a n t
tribes.
and
ethnologists are all
L o v e of w o r k
A n d w e
ac-
external.
be
unforeseen,
civilization.
of necessity,
and
a passion
formation,
any
I t originated,
proofs
i n all its f o r m s ; but
or contemns.
soon
voluntary attention
appeared
duration.
and
i n
before civilization voluntary
is w e l l - k n o w n ; t r a v e l e r s a n d
on
So
attraction, but
world.
pressure
exist,
factor
of devoting himself to
in the
i m p a r t e d b y
c o m -
work,—•
for existence.
i m m e d i a t e
is easily s h o w n that
attention
a foremost
means of livelihood,
appearance
cordingly,
and
of the
possessed
i n an
It
also
as
game,
perishing or of a c c o m m o d a t i n g oneself to m o r e
voluntary
of
soon
plex conditions of l i f e , — i n other words, to go to
not
fore-
course
of p o p u l a t i o n , sterility of soil, or m o r e
neighboring
atten-
is a f a c t o r of t h e
for life.
the
37
of spontaneous
men,
struggle
(through whatever
of
the
A
" T h e
days
were
d i d
are
38
F S Y C I I O L O G Y
too
l o n g . " *
H e r b e r t
of
birds,
excitement;
chase gives
nor
so
life
Spencer,f
beasts,
ing
" T h e
OF
of
" i s
fish,
but
t h o u g h
gratification,
small,
has
sity,
to
a m o n g
that
but
most
there
w h o m
they
line
are
away
necessary
drudgery,
volves u p o n
w o r k
f r o m
E v e n
long
at
T h e
Italian
that
ciently
life;
they
is
w h o ,
first
considerable.
I t
are
neces-
society
w h o
miserable
that
m e n
are
w h e n
this or
that
they
devote
after year,
hardly
for
health."
a l l , e v e n as s a v a g e s , i t is
well
while
it
k n o w n ,
k i n d
usually
their husbands
m a y
seem
a
originated
i n
e n j o y i n g
the
there
sleep,
pos-
p a r a d o x — t h a t
w o m a n .
advantages
exists
a
and
of
complete
of protracted
thieves,
of
de-
I t is a c c o r d i n g l y
incapable
work,
prostitutes.
n e w
school,
w h e t h e r
l o o k u p o n t h e s e as
cases of
atavism.
civilized
nations,
themselves
all
very
w h o m
year
criminologists of the
adapted
and
as
professional
majority of
m a n
con-
is
necessary
at
of
to t i m e to p e r f o r m some
nations
rightly or wrongly,
T h e
rest
of civilization,
class of beings
—vagabonds,
to
of being beaten.
a m o n g
p o w e r
and
m e n
the
persistent
n e e d — m e n
day,
attention first
centuries
;
to live
w o m e n ,
sible—although
voluntary
a
m a n
industry b y
after
labor,
fear
into
is
a
so
primitive
attractive
t i m e
such
the
is so
the
i n order
f r o m
gratify-
neither
f r o m business
to it day
as
h i m
civilized
become
occupation
themselves
But,
is
says
pursuit
sprinkled t h r o u g h o u t
of investigation
giving
the
m a n , "
in the
yields
in the
eventually give it u p
themselves
to
coerced
are
active
restless w h e n
m a i n l y
w h i c h
ourselves
O N .
primitive
Conversely,
application, w h i c h
true
the
this
tinued
is
T T E N T I
passed
and
general.
A
are
to
* " V o y a g e of a N a t u r a l i s t . "
t " Data of E t h i c s , " Chap. X ,
to
the
a certain
however,
have
exigencies
degree
of
suffisocial
capable
of
V O L U N T A R Y
voluntary
w h o m
is a n
attention.
Spencer
urgent
the
stantem
w e
the
w h o
mori.
p h e n o m e n o n .
shall better
n u m b e r
39
of
those,
voluntary
profess
and
and
attention
W h e n
consider
understand
f e w
practice
Voluntary
w e
of
attention
very small indeed;
those
oportet
sociological
its
are
T T E N T I O N
to w h o m
necessity—is
far between
such,
B u t
speaks,
and
A
is
it
a
as
b o t h its genesis
and
infirmity.
T h e
fact, we
m a y
say,
has
t h a t v o l u n t a r y a t t e n t i o n is a n
n o w
an
serves,
point
imitation
at the
of
established,
adaptation
ditions of a higher social life ; that
a habit,
been
to
the
i t is a d i s c i p l i n e a n d
of natural attention, w h i c h
same time,
as
con-
its p o i n t
latter
of departure
and
support.
n.
Up to this point we have only examined, in our investigation
of the mechanism
impulsion arising f r o m
the
study
state
the
u p o n
of
m u c h
of the
face of the
m o r e
w e
to
all
obscure
is
m a k e
have
adjusted
cluding
h a d
of
towards
others,
needs,
predominates
happens
to be
other.
W e
question,
n o w
namely,
t h r o u g h w h i c h
laboriously maintained,
it
by
a
in
with,
T h e
relative
w h i c h
consists
a certain n u m b e r
the
in
same
the
case
of
; and
internal
arid
ex-
spontaneous
(or a group
consciousness,
stronger
of
purpose
T h e r e a state
i n the
far the
disappear.
to deal
attention, no explanation.
states)
to an
w h i c h
psychological struggle for life w h i c h i n -
preponderance
states,
f o r m
internal mechanism
tends
m o n o i d e i s m
the
one
consciousness
cessantly
in
a
external
stimuli and surroundings
causes it to pass f r o m
come
of attention, the
because
i t is b y far
of
it
the
P S Y C H O L O G Y
stronger,
of
the
because,
individual
trary
happens
cially
i n
ingly,
its
tained
as w e
i n the
A T T E N T I O N .
have
conspire
seen,
all the
i n its favor.
tendencies
T h e
artificial
m e c h a n i s m
b y
forms.
w h i c h
W h a t ,
this
state
is n o t
requisite
to investigate
h o w
other
state
of consciousness, it arises
circumstances.
f r o m
other
B u t
states,
tained.
I f a
matics,
recollects
solve,
is,
has
state
of
and
I n
sort,
a
can
an
question
unexplored
inhibit
h o w
the
but
is t h e
mechanism
be
order
of
able
to
of this
were
answer
w i t h
marks
attempt replete w i t h
T h e
fundamental
consists in the
into
a
of
to
activity.
is
I f
condition
w i t h
this
the
B u t
w e
and
con-
p o w e r
of our
body.
produced
physiological
should
clearness.
k n o w ,
re-
omissions.
nervous
action,
W e
following
faults and
of the
also
the
k n o w n , w e
the
of
query,
physiology,
m o r e
reflex
p r o b l e m
retention.
inhibition
regard
property
T h i s
a m b i g u i t y
of
transformation of a primitive
movement.
nervous
is a state
Experience
better
ask
an
reader
if
no
of various parts
to
but
cases w e h a v e
accordingly
as
the
enter,
things ?
of inhibition
it
arrested
psychology.
equivalent
p r o b l e m
that the w h o l e
k n o w n i n
i n m a n y
it
mathe-
to leave
W e
the m o v e m e n t s
mental
probably
that
i n
b i d d i n g of
little taste for
of inhibition,
little
every
main-
certain
an
of
distinguishes
persists,
produce
inhibition ?
stantly proves,
in
w e
state
consciousness;
this point, I repeat
h o w
almost
B u t
main-
and
a
order
consists i n this very p o w e r
B u t
at the
that
but
he
task
attention.
concerning
to
is
L i k e
it is p r o l o n g e d
w i t h
that
the
feature
that
simple
about
voluntary
the
school-boy
t h i s is a
sets
u p o n
espe-
accord-
the
v o l u n t a r y a t t e n t i o n is p r o d u c e d i n d a i l y life.
this
con-
?
It
he
very
case of v o l u n t a r y attention,
highest
is the
OF
system
excitation
the
that
type
of
certain
V O L U N T A R Y
excitations
ment.
that
T h e
of the
t h r o u g h
the
in
m a y
impede,
best
slacken,
k n o w n ,
suspension
irritation
T T E N T I O N .
of
of the
and
the
1845,
study
prevents
shown,
action
of cases i n
a
movements
that
the
u p o n
moreover
the
stomach
larly
to
the
only
the
and
brain
{optic
fluence
u p o n
the
phenomena
ally,
ous
set
and
been
referred
to
a
and
at
lower
of
medulla
first
nerve
has
date
it
the movements
of
has
parts
vaso-dilator
in recent
belongs
an
considerable
in
that
the
inhibitory
the
times
not
exists
maintained
of
simi-
referred
; it also
exerts
to
inhibitory
that
the
in-
cerebro-spinal
have
B r o w n - S e q u a r d ,
invented,
here.*
of the
attention
w h i c h
an
of inhibition
explain this " negative
forth
W e b e r
referred
the
F i n -
" i n h i b i t i o n
of the central
p o r t i o n of the
is
a
nerv-
periph-
system."
Functions
tres
that
possessed b y almost all parts
eral nervous
have
Since
of h y p n o t i s m to a cortical inhibition.
system
T o
has
Since
action
thalamus')
authors
according
power
cord
Setchenoff
M a n y
heart
Pfliiger
CI. B e r n a r d
this power
central
axis.
the
is
m u c h attention
nerve
established,
cause
spinal
brain.
the
of t h e entire i n t e s t i n a l canal are
Finally,
to the
case
nerve.
secretion.
to inhibition.
same
nerves.
a
of
1
move-
excitation of a
small intestine.
been
subject
the
splanchnic
the
has
or
a
by the brothers
devoted
w h i c h
m o v e m e n t
or suppress
pneumogastric
physiologists have
4
oldest-studied,
discovery of this fact, m a d e
the
"
A
he
L e t
w h i c h
us
an
it
note,
B r a i n , "
to
reflex," different theories
w o u l d
however,
Ferrier
was
action of the
places in the
be
useless
that
his
first
w h o
moderating
Cen-
frontal lobes.
the
in
to
T h e
recol-
* F o r the h i s t o r y o f t h i s p r o b l e m d o w n to the year 1879, see H e r m a n n ,
Handbuch
der Physiologie,
V o l . I I , p a r t . I I , p. 33, et seqq. F o r the m o r e recent
t h e o r i e s , S. L o u r i e , I f a t t i e le teorie delVinibizione,
i n 8vo. M i l a n o , 1888
P S 3 ' C H O L OGY
lection
of
an
element
that
depends
on
repression
of the
idea,
he
enters
into its
the
centre
of the
occurs.
is
of the
not
is a l s o
frontal
provoke
accordingly,
any
energy
in
motor
execution.
motor
p r o d u c i n g
paralysis,
sulting
for
the
mental
T h e
is v e r y
frontal regions
by degrees weaker,
gence
descends.
m a y
as
add,
the
follows:
the
of
of
develop-*
these
lobes>
they
expend
are,
their
of
does not
actual
induce
degeneration,
power of
are
that
rei m -
attention
in animals
i n p r o p o r t i o n as t h e
W e
m o t o r
frontal lobes
in idiots, whose
T h e
are
centres
of t h e m
perfectly developed
weak.
a
localizing
and
in the
m o t o r
expends
manifestation;
merely
i n loss of attention.
augmentation
to
Irritation
agencies,
is
development
proportionate
changes
but
there
excitation of
to
R e m o v a l
m o t o r
A t t e n t i o n
diffusion,
frontal lobes,
m o t o r y
directive
and
reasons
lobes.
the
m o v e m e n t :
external
proportionate
it
on
excitation of the
repressed
in the
I O N ,
composition.
T h e
Ferrier's
attention ; and
ment
depends
diffusion,
against
centres
Intelligence
does
external
internally ;
moderating
T T E N T
restriction of the
protected
force
A
says,
internal diffusion.
centres,
its
OF
become
level of
injuries
intellito
the
frontal lobes will greatly lessen and frequently quite
stroy
that
the
power
" a s
control,
to
control.*
T h e
physiological
basis
theoretical
A l t h o u g h
take
the
of
place
the
theory,
in special
sical ; still, i n recent
assertion
views
u p o n
only can
that
organs,
author
of
be
this
declares,
faculty
of
inhibition
become almost
times, several authors,
experimental grounds,
of
entertained."
p h e n o m e n a
has
de-
have
basing
clastheir
maintained
* F o r the facts w e may r e f e r t h e reader to o u r Diseases
of the
Wilt,
C h i c a g o , 1894. Q u i t e r e c e n t l y an A m e r i c a n n e u r o l o g i s t , A l e x a n d e r S t a r r ,
i n 23 cases o f l e s i o n o f the f r o n t a l lobes, f o u n d i n one h a l f o f his p a t i e n t s t h e
f o l l o w i n g m e n t a l troubles : loss of the f a c u l t y of c o n t r o l , c h a n g e o f c h a r a c t e r ,
incapacity of fixing attention.
B r a i n , " Jan. 1886, p. 570.
M
V O L
that
" m o t o r
their
seat
nerve
T A R
actions
in the
Y
A
and
T T E N T I O N
actions
elements."*
is e x c i t e d , " says
M . Beaunis,
i n the
nerve
directions.
in the
I f it be
ing
of the muscle ; but beside
m o s t
is
also
to
impede
Thus,
at
the
the
puts
and
and
inhibition
" E v e r y
"
there
to
i n
one
most
state,
there
by
this
nerve,
sooner
lasts a shorter
time.
shock;
but
ments,
" w h e n
is
w h i c h
is r e c o g n i z e d
of
the
produced
and
w h i c h
a wave
swiftness and
is
of the
the
b y a
f
lessened
at
w a v e
this
of excitation,
the
motor
than
the
inhibi-
T h e
first
excita-
the
second
produced,
hypothesis,
then,
wave,
of
f r o m both
is p r o d u c e d
that,
w i t h
still
along
a w a v e
of excitation, and
of these
current,
there
t i m e b y
resultant
e x p e r t
excitability
A n excited nerve,
same
the
sides
at
the
greater
f r o m
both
accordingly,
of
inhibition,
its e x c i t a b i l i t y is
t w o contrary
every
be
T h e
inhibitory
i n t e n s i t y , is p r o p a g a t e d
algebraic
On
the
tend
will
of W u n d t ' s
an
there
appearance.
w i t h
is s l o w l y p r o p a g a t e d
cathode.
traversed
and
b y
anode
anode : simultaneously,
cathode
sides
at t h e
w h i c h
will
a n e r v e is e x c i t e d b y a c o n s t a n t
there
nerve,
I n one
be
twitch-
there
action, "
appearance
amplitude.
oppo-
studied,
its
a
pro-
will
a
w h i c h
prevent
inhibitory
m a x i m u m
its
time
are
excitation the inhibitory action, tending to be
diminishes
have
this phenomenon,
the
or
nerve,
revealed
contrary
time,
and
causes a
activity,
shock,
i n an
process,
tion
a
same
action
process
an
apparent
produced
m o t o r
tory
nerve
a m o t o r
up
the
43
t w o k i n d s of modificationsi n
set
is
of
same
duced
site
U N
but
actions."
excitation
w o u l d
* Wundt, Untersuchungen zur Mechanik der Nerven und Nervencentren,
1871, 1876, a n d Physiologische
Psychologie,
V o l . I , C h a p . I V . Beaunis,
Recherches
experiment
ales sur <es conditions
de Vactivite
cerebrate et sur la physiologie
du
nerf.
Paris, 1884. M . B e a u n i s has d w e l t , m o r e t h a n any o t h e r p h y s i o l o g i s t ,
u p o n the i m p o r t a n c e f o r p s y c h o l o g y of i n h i b i t o r y a c t i o n s .
tOp.
C i t . , p . 97-
P S Y C H O L O G Y
determine in the
the
to
one
nervous
positive and
activity
hibition
on
of
the
the
one
actions,
other
stoppage
W e
that
of
so
have
very
and
W e
of
p r o b l e m .
the
T h e
its
m a y
p o w e r
modus
appears
w e
other
a
tendency
tendency
to
side;
the
succinctly
set
concerning
is
late,
final
of these
con-
and
to
forth
at
an-
the
occasion
the
nearly
to
make
psychological
a secondary
as
do
all
accomplishes
of time.
Volition
all
mechanism
use
phase
m a y
formation.
manifestations
V o H t i o n i n its positive, i m p u l s i v e
the volition w h i c h
in-
the
voluntary inhibition,-whatever
relatively
order
the
:
time impulsion
n o w
operandi,
higher order.
a
shall have
revert
of
and
the resultant
one
p h y s i o l o g y teaches us
of i t .
in
at
negative
prevail.
n o w
inhibition,
be
o n
than
that
will
other
side,
effect is n o t h i n g m o r e
A T T E N T I O N .
substance t w o modifications,
this activity
trary
OF
I t
of
f o r m —
something—is the
i n its negative
a
form,
first
w h i c h
hinders something, appears later ; according to Preyer,
t o w a r d
the
inhibition
But
tion
tenth
of natural
h o w
as
answered
w e
are
do
w e
H o w
volition,
the
"
m o v e m e n t ;
that
ity,
brain,
i n
m o t o r y
t h r o u g h
the
the
residua ;
the
inferior
medulla,
the
very h u m b l e
f o r m
of
accomplished?
satisfactorily.
T h i s
ques-
H o w e v e r ,
let
t h a t i n t h i s r e g a r d o u r p o s i t i o n is e x a c t l y t h e
w h e n
question :
i n
evacuations.
inhibition
be
us observe,
tive
is
cannot
same
m o n t h ,
*
and
confronted
produce
I w i l l "
a
is
a
corona
stratum
m o t o r y
of
the
to
is a
the
cerebral
I n
setting into
of the
then after decussation
* " T h e M i n d o f the C h i l d . "
opposite
posi-
followed
images _or
transmission
radiata
the
m o v e m e n t ?
usually
is t o say, t h e r e
of
w i t h
a
activ-
appropriate
nervous
corpora
influx
striata,
peduncle,
to the
by
spinal
to
to
the
cord,
V O L
U N
to the nerves, a n d
T A R
finally
Y
A
T T E N T I O N
to the muscles.
45
I n negative
lition, t h e " I w i l l " is u s u a l l y f o l l o w e d
by an
vo-
inhibition.
H e r e the anatomical and physiologicalconditions of
transmission are
viously
ferent
less a c c u r a t e l y
e x p o u n d e d
f r o m
the
hypothesis
preceding
departure,
the
act
states
and
through
as
we
limit
must
that just
and
s u m
to
possess
increasing
suppress,
to
the
a
"
only
and
p o w e r
of
fact
I will "
k n o w s
and
t h e m
T h u s
knowledge,
a matter
m o v e m e n t ,
to
dif-
cases
indirectly.
s t a t i n g , as
interrupt, and
be
intermediate
of our present
the
not
pre-
b o t h
A l l the
acquired,
the
i n
the
t w o things : the
consciousness
ourselves
w e
B u t
only
inhibited.
it, and
regards
as
tinuing,
to
or
k n o w l e d g e
situated
w o u l d
the fact of arrival;
produced
escape
they
case.
consciousness directly k n o w s
of
k n o w n \ u p o n
the
of
fact,
beginning,
con-
we
also
diminish
are
able
any
move-
at
least,
ment.
These
to
one
general
considerations
positive result;
tion,
whether
muscles
and
tion
is v a g u e ,
namely,
through
muscles
bition
if,
as
w e
W e
hibitory) u p o n
is
our
things,
either
be
only
find
ing
of
its m e c h a n i s m ,
that it
w h i c h
no
exists.
action
the
voli-
only
other
upon
concep-
at
must
elements
i n all
or
else to
and
p o w e r
be
hit
inhior i n -
;
such
O f
t w o
u p o n :
manifestations
abandon
to limit
real
of
will.
of
there
elements,
voluntary muscles
least
that
mechanism
(impellent
positive conception of
of v o l u n t a r y a t t e n t i o n ,
tion
u p o n
exercise
muscular
of
c h i m e r i c a l ;
a play of muscular
accordingly, one
to
" a c t s
any
and
act
i n all cases of attention
any other than
and
us,
every
maintain, the
movements,
acts.
that
incomprehensible,
necessarily
nascent
;
99
a t t e n t i o n is m o t o r y , t h e n
or
that
i m p u l s i v e or inhibitory,
consequently,
must
bring
all
ourselves
explanato
say-
4
6
P S Y C H O L O G Y
OF
A T T E N T I O N .
A t t e n t i o n v o l u n t a r i l y addresses itself to
images,
avoid
and
all
ideals;
metaphor,
voluntarily
ages,
or
ideas,
All
sorial
a
to
that
and
feet,
more
of
a
T o
tongue,
mobile
m e t
power,
the
more
obtuse
W e
will
eye
be
kept
perception
pears.
out
or
of
no
the
change :
ment.
u p o n
fest
a
tips
and
finger,
of the
be
be
I t w o u l d
so
ments,
that
fundamental
felt.
it
ever
is
not
be
easy
a
so
is
ness,
w h i c h
been said
where
is
there
of
is n o
motile
is
that
this
if
role
the
then
the
save
disap-
a table
of a
with-
f e w
m i n -
the
eye,
of
will
re-arouse
only possible
t h r o u g h
t h r o u g h
move-
at
length
great
facts are v e r y
mani-
psychology
has
never-
sustained
b y
move-
last
that
cognition
f u n d a m e n t a l
relativity,
to warrant
ex-
impossible.
m o t i o n
to expatiate
forgot at
condition
end
light,
possible
it actually
the
more
N o r
is
ears,
needed.
the
u p o n
B u t
the
of
are
d i m , and
the
neglected
instrument
sen-
eyes,
statement
at
of c o m m o n experience,
theless
our
perception
this subject; for although the
and
same time
body,
fingers
Consciousness
change
determine
less p e r f e c t t h e i r
grows
the contact
longer
in
a given object w i t h o u t m o v i n g ,
a while
the
i m -
no difficulties.
movements
previous
u p o n
after
pressing,
perception.
the
fixed
Rest
utes will
m i n d
be
upon
to
their sensibility.
w i t h o u t m o t o r elements,
to
the
w i t h
of our
all;
call
fixed
have
are at
q u i s i t e is t h e i r s e n s i b i l i t y ; t h e
can
to
with.
perceive
parts
and
of perceptions,
there are
nostrils,
the
m o n o i d e i s m
cases w e
are
precisely,
purpose
perceptions,
motor.
more
group
organs of perception
hands,
T h e
by
three
elements
As regards
our
state
adapted
I n these
m o t o r
i.
the
maintained
advance.
the
or to speak
perceptions,
change.
i n
they
that
law of
are
the
they
are
conscious-
E n o u g h
has
unconditional statement,
m o v e m e n t
there
is
no
n o w
that
perception.
V O L U N T A R V
T h e
role of
subject
is
to the
m i n u t e l y
m o v e m e n t
s t u d y i n g
are suppressed.
tion
on.
and
b o d y ; all other
of
produced
of
state
a
m a y
w e
refer
i n the
accordingly,
w h o
watch,
instituted
concentra-
frequently
shall
again
preceding
i n a fatigued
not
m o v e m e n t s
of
movements,
speak
to
at-
of
it
Galton's
chapter,
u p o n
audience.
means
inhibition of movements.
concentration
Distraction means
and
diffusion
movements.
V o l u n t a r y
expression
motives
possess
such
attention,
of
for
a
So
not
of
constitute
have
treated
states,
m o t o r y
elements.
early
idea,
an
tary
the
I
Paul's?
posing
the
not
image,
W e
can
the
other
to
are
myself
answer
mental
parts
the
of
a
this
image
the
its
f r o m
the
point
the
and
ideas
t w o groups
n o w
at first,"
find
wrote
of our
m o v e m e n t s
or
question
occupies
of
the
Bain,
retention of
w o r k
nervous
control.
to that purely i n -
must
circle,
and
preventing
Images
is t h e
strong
muscles—upon
escapes
" t h a t
m i n d
W h a t
we
the
feeling
of
I n these
plain,
1855,
in the
conceive
that
seem
a
u p o n
n o w come
u p o n
have
capable
else
matter.
year
muscles.
w h e n
and
as
betraying
accordingly,
" I t does
w e
" r e f l e x i o n . "
its subject
act
the p r o b l e m
W e
called
also
where
E v e r y t h i n g
psychic
2.
as
B u t i t only acts
alone.
form,
m a y
inhibition
easiest of a p p r o a c h .
ternal
;
o u t w a r d l y
p o w e r
far w e
thus,
emotions
expression.
muscles
as
this
height;
w e
reported
Attention,
w a t c h - m a k e r
I n laboratory experiments,
B u t
movements
47
a t t e n t i o n is
w h e e l - w o r k
extraordinary
observations,
of
T h e
voluntary attention,
an
further
i n sensorial
the
t h r o u g h inhibition
tains
T T E N T I O N .
slightest doubt.
adapts his eyes, hands,
to study
A
an
volun-
produced,
think
only
by
in the
system
the
of
St.
sup-
brain
same
48
P S Y C H O L O G Y
place
as
element
sensations,
must,
sight,
recollection."
passage
written,
the
of
was
has
been
exactly
the
as
p h a n t o m ,
therein
in
w i t h o u t
nature,
resembles
on
the
image
identity
difference of
but
a
that
have
come
the
there
latter,
intuitions),
skin
motory
and
image
of
and
it
and
was
to
a
kind
" w i t h i n
in degree
as
a
but
portrait
psychology,
perception
seat,
is n o t
and
a
and
only
elements
I n p r o p o r t i o n
more
and
so
a
p h o t o g r a p h
m o t o r y
approaches
its origination,
closely
only
is no
that
have
residua
the
behind
apparatus
d i d
or residua,
habitual.
m o t o r
interest
been
e x a c t l y as
images,
the
perception
m o t o r y
leave
made
to
ones
after they
brain
own,
identity
of
and
tends
as
more
to
be-
an hallucination.
(being
or
of
only
between
this
Whereas,
not
most
ele-
studied,
existing
perception.
increases,
K e e p i n g
the
is
the
nature
or idea
seat,
sensorial
the
the
physiological
T h e
the
u p
condition
to
nature,
of
built
its i n t e n s i t y
since
of
image
" a t
there
degree.
revival
to the
it
of
t i m e that
of
perception
its o r i g i n a l ; "
contrary,
the
profitably
definite
resembling
those
its place i n ideal
indicated.*
an
soul," differing f r o m
find
Since
and
muscular
hearing—this
question
closely
earlier psychologists,
the
and
in some w a y or other,
sensation—in
solved
A s t h e r e is a
particularly in
o r d e r — i n touch,
images
A T T E N T I O N .
original sensation.
i n our
highest
ment
the
OF
elements
us),
w i t h o u t
that
movements,
the
( m o t o r y
b e h i n d
u p o n
no m o v e m e n t
a
the
retina
m e m o r y
could be
w o u l d
i n
m o t o r y
impressions.
possess
E v e r y t h i n g
leave
images,
impressions
not
images
i t is clear,
produced,
sensorial
of
I f
the
of
its
learned
always
have
* C o n s u l t T a i n e , De VIntelligence,
V o l . I I ; Galton, Inquiry into H u m a n
F a c u l t y , " etc., p p . 83-114 ; C h a r c o t , Lecons sur les maladies
dusysteme
nerveux^
V o l . I l l ; B i n e t , Psychologie du raisonnement,
C h a p . I I ; B a l l e t , Le Langage
iw
tirieur
et les diverses formes
de
Vaphasie.
M
V O L U N T A R Y
to begin
fortify
over
this
prove
the
b y
that
contained
again.
A T T E N T I O N .
H o w e v e r ,
argument.
m o v e m e n t
in it.
p e n d u l u m
is
inherent
foremost into
falling into
razors,
t h e m
t h r o u g h
or the case of
reputed
ignorant
every
Of
states ?
the
image
the
ways
state;
just
the
motor
a
that
people
are
fact,
great
elements
quired
need
o n
the
is n o t
m y
has
our
at
possess
least
following
a)
paved
great
w a y
w i t h o u t
a
al-
simply
the
existence
of
be
the
difficult.
latter study
standpoint
study
of
of
is
ac-
perceptions
for this task.
B u t
it
i n c i d e n t a l l y so
great
a
to group
categories
aid of
general
acknowledged,
m e r e l y is, as a m e a n s
Those w h i c h result f r o m
images,
the
T h e
treat
the
h a n d , is m o r e
f r o m
the
to
bearings,
three
i n
does not
question
it must
data.
M y purpose
true
the
other
revision
intention
question.
establish
ideology, and
experimental
images
to
i n images,
psychology,
of
that
motion ?
always
image
read-
facts
towards
it exists
sensorial
e n o u g h
greatly neglected
and
other
not
w i t h
consciousness.
I f i t is easy
Physiological
ing
as
is b u t
because
does
of
themselves?
psychological
proportions, but
ideas or concepts,
in
m a n y
tendency
ne-
plunge
themselves
possess hallucinatory vividness, but exists
3.
has
a
it
t h r o u g h fear
cutting
simply
m o t o r element
in outline in the
of
so
w i t h
Is
people w h o
cut
of
elementary
contains
these enormous
nascent
and
extraordinary
of
course,
very fear
and
experiment
chasms,
w h o
image
typical.
are
to
experiments
the
" t h o u g h t - r e a d i n g , " w h i c h
ing of muscular
are
people
the
as
there
y a w n i n g
?
i n
famous
be regarded
cessary to cite m o r e ? h o w
head
necessary
Innumerable
Chevreul's
m a y
i t is n o t
49
general
ideas
of
into
findthe
:
the fusion of
w o r d s ;
" s i m i l a r ' "
J \ S J X H O L O G Y
b)
Those
similar"
c)
w h i c h
images,
T h o s e
result
w i t h
w h i c h
accompanied
w i t h
even
any
without
OF
the
are
a
A T T E X T I O N .
f r o m
the
fusion
aid of w o r d s
reduced
vaguely
of
" d i s -
;
to words, to
represented
language,
outline,
concomitant representation
or
whatso-
ever.
I
shall disregard
time,
space,
w o u l d
carry us
n o w
and
regulative
cause),
too
examine,
the
the
T h e
f r o m
our
whether
each
of these
first
rudest
animals,
children,
analytical
limited
those
language.
be
are
m o r e
w h i c h
w e
T h e
met
images—
of
in
the
the
that
ideas.
use
of
m i n d
is
and
so
really
T h e
w o u l d
operation in
question seems closely analogous to the process b y
obtains
t h r o u g h
the
mulation
superposing
composite
of
portrait
resemblances
differences.
B u t
to
tained,
this
process
that
general
ideas,
is a n
only the
very
lowest
can
images
difficult
t o say,
f o r i t is n o t at
reflection
b)
the
T h e
general
thought.
w i t h
it
has
the
resemblances.
this stadium
case,
accuminor
main-
formation
I t
N o w , do
i t is t o
I t
no
of
explains
operation
m o t o r element?
in any
of
been
position.
grades ; being an
include a
and,
family, or an
explains
untenable
w h i c h
photographs,
elimination
m a i n t a i n , as
deal only w i t h gross
generic
several
of a
of
higher
resemblances,
a t e r m
act.
ideas
with
before
operation
correct than general
Galton,
m a y
categories
general
deaf-mutes,
to grasping v e r y striking
t o f r a m i n g generic
A n d
three
comprises
w h i c h
and
path.
of
u p o n w h i c h attention m a y
category
sort,
(those
investigation of
far
includes motor elements,
a )
the
concepts
is
that
these
very
p u r p o s e ;
of mental life that voluntary
enters.
second
ideas
I n
a
category
that
more
serve
comprises
the
complete
the
current
majority
of
purposes
of
study of the
present
V O L U N T A R Y
w e
cending
gradation of groups,
to the
power
of
fewer
and
m o r e
fewer
the
have
no
have
a t e r m
in
white
w o r d
for
and
phases
however,
is
less a n d
an
as
"
that
the
less
w e
the
any
only
i n
be
an
abstract.
possess
none
even
these
of Peter,
w i t h
clear,
b y
propor-
a
to itself
an
that
the
of m y
to
dog,
me,
per-
the o b j e c t to m e u n d e r its different aspects.
struggle
for
a m o n g
the
an
individual
f o r m e r images
supremacy in consciousness.
general
idea,
there
is also
generic images,
for
abstract
second
of the
a
of
or third
image
the
have
there
same
I n
is
a m o n g
• L u b b o c k , " T h e O r i g i n of C i v i l i z a t i o n , " Ch. I X .
Culture," V o l . I , Ch. V I I .
is
a
different
in consciousness.
degree
a
object
I n the conception of
struggle
supremacy
w h i c h
or
can
multiple
of it and
is
process
revealed
of
had
image,
that
representation
already
word,
ceptions
the
I have
the
w e
image
observed,
of
plant,
a
in
T h i s
of Paul,
abstract,
they
w h e n
it an
being or object well k n o w n
an
to
different
m i n d
f o r m e d
is
b u t
for
to represent
it
no
words
first place,
less
I t is
T h u s ,
extract,
history
none for tree
generalization.
I have
concrete
and
this
but
in our
along
and
Tasmanians
u p o n
I n the
the
T h e
so,
to dwell
?
gen-
of
the
black o a k ;
general.
less
employs
representation
the
element;
image.
i n
the Fuegians
is t h e r e
complex,
m i n d
less
degrees
w i t h
naturally
w h a t
ascend
m e t
species of trees,
N o t
fixed
ifjctract," an
individual
of
i n
as-
resemblances
A l l the
and
these general ideas
w h i c h
tion
oak,
m o r e
color, etc.*
think
fainter
are
oak
animal,
the
A m e r i c a n Indians have
for each
general;
f r o m
an
gradation indicating
it is t h a t
T h e
to establish
rising
analogies.
T h u s
terms.
designate
ever
progression
humanity.
abstract
occasion
general—a
discerning
ascending
of
have
T T E N T I O N .
subject,
eral
w o u l d
A
A n
produced.
Tylor,
"Primitive
52
P S Y C H O L O G Y
OF
A T T E N T I O N .
There is thus formed a common nucleus, around
w h i c h
oscillate
general
ever
conception
so
take
a
short
man,
m e n t
is
a
revert
be
difficult
ments
f o r m
tell
c)
to
remains
original
more
general,
ally vanishes,
to the
images
the
the w o r d
m o m e n t
accordingly,
the
part
word,
in t h e m
of
w h e n
w i t h o u t
words,
purely
scientific concepts.
in the
images.
m i n d at
details,
subject.
fact
there
of
it
w o u l d
the
move-
remains.
progression,
A t
images
this
last
B u t ,
does
this supreme
I
w h i c h
shall
limit
is
nothing
there
must
be,
a cognition.
" w e
are
signs
b y
w o u l d
a
to
" I n
actual
of
to
w h a t
the
t h o u g h t , "
neglect
they
generic
w i t h
words,
the
w e
w o r d
the
signify,
find
exist
abstraction?
I cannot
enter
far f r o m
observing,
beneath
have,
v i z . :
stage
too
p o t e n t i a l knowledge,
accustomed
means
myself
m e
gradu-
W e
point of
carry
ideas
preponderates,
maintain, unhesitatingly, that it does.
in
images
by images
more
generic
w i t h o u t
alone
played
it alone
following
w e
perceptions.
m o r e and
words
into
the
a
ele-
w o r d ;
to
to
or
motor
the
the
m a n
I n t h e p r e c e d i n g c a t e g o r y , i n p r o p o r t i o n as
g r o w
I
persist
tends
T h e
A s
M y
it
w h i t e
by
again.
annexed
included in the
a
bulldog.
represented
w h a t
if
consciousness,
a
subject
elements.
dog,
becomes
or
of images
to
or
i n
; it
spaniel
obscure
m a n
time
to this
abstracts
and
of
especially
or
u p
a
concrete
black
shall
vague
word,
the
m y
that
if
there
is,
possibility
says
Leibnitz,
explanation
k n o w i n g or
of
be-
lieving that w e have
this explanation at our c o m m a n d
in
deem
fact,
tion
of
m e t h o d
W e
we
do
the
w o r d s
of
reasoning
e m p l o y it
versally."
not
to
be
I
this
application or
actually
designate
in algebra,
L e a r n i n g h o w
in
T h i s
or symbolical.
arithmetic, in
to count
explica-
necessary.
blind
;
in the
fact,
case
of
unichil-
V O L U N T A R Y
dren,
and,
shows,
better
h o w
jects,
then
f r o m
t h e m ,
the
to
to
still,
A
T T E N T I O N .
i n the
word,
at
case
first
of
savages,
firmly
progressively
live
independent
life
of
notes,
same
the
same
dangers.
sidering,
word.
the
f o r m
in
show
i n
all
I n the
can
researches,
that
individuals.
do
perience
a perfect type
motory
i n nature.
auditory
been
far
T o
i m a g e s ;
has
words
read
N o w ,
ments
act
i n
others,
t h i s is
always,
the
w o r d
internal
sign, rests
ception,
and
tained
in
fact of daily
possible
W e
are
same
chiefly
as
Egger.
by
the
latter are
some,
these
original
ex-
has
others,
help
of
different
ele-
everywhere
the
f o r m
purely
of
per-
contains m o t o r elements.
that
of
the
accords,
that
m o t o r elements
whatever
and
category,
moreover,
abstract
i n
visual.
aloud,
u p o n
u p o n
it
Still
p r o n o u n c e d
persons,
already
consist
word,
men,
the
emphatically
B u t
T h i s
i n
the
mainly
think
con-
his o w n
proportions.
experience,
to m a n y
almost
of
ideas
often very weak.
by V .
T h e
true,
general
in
f r o m
inward
with,
consequently
is u n q u e s t i o n a b l y
only
it consists
w o r d s
the
majority
unequal
n o w
have
exist
of this : such
or w r i t t e n *
in the
w e
described
frequently met
are
f o u n d
some
(bank-
Strieker, in his book
admirably described
less
a n d
M u s i c , "
not
T o
articulative conditions.
and
be
o w n .
usefulness-and
we
to w h i c h
w o r d s
" W o r d
to
instance
m o t o r element
Recent
referred,
h a v i n g the
obitself
its
paper-money
etc.),
to
detaches
Finally, the w o r d m u c h resembles
cheques,
clearly
clinging
images,
an
53
w i t h
I t
conare
the
r e f l e c t i o n is i m -
difficult
and
fatiguing
everybody.
have
dwelt
at
length u p o n
this division
of
our
•There has been published a curious instance of the latter in the Revue
Philosophique,
January, 1885, p . 119. A l s o see B a l l e t , i n the w o r k c i t e d above,
Chap. I I I .
P S Y C H O L O G Y
subject,
because
difficult,
and
i t is t h e
most
OF
A T T E N T I O N .
least
exposed
investigated,
to
the
criticism.*
most
B u t
the
reader will say : "We admit that there are motor elements
in
in perceptions,
concepts.
that
that
Still,
attention
it
point
w o u l d
is
we
be
a
can
acts
images,
that
u p o n
m o t o r y
cite
decisive.
does
and,
not
them, and
observation
T h e
crucial
less
establish
degree,
the
fact,
t h r o u g h them,
m e c h a n i s m . "
no
in a
T r u e ,
or
test
and
u p o n
this
experiment
that
w o u l d
consist
i n
* The study of a large number of normal and morbid cases has led to
the k n o w l e d g e of several types : rnotory, a u d i t o r y , a n d v i s u a l , a c c o r d i n g t o the
g r o u p o f images p r e d o m i n a t i n g i n each i n d i v i d u a l ; not to m e n t i o n t h e o r d i nary or i n d i f f e r e n t t y p e . T h e p e r s o n w h o t h i n k s his w o r d s by a r t i c u l a t i n g
t h e m , w i t h o u t h e a r i n g t h e m ( S t r i e k e r ) ; and the p e r s o n w h o t h i n k s h i s w o r d s
by h e a r i n g t h e m , w i t h o u t a r t i c u l a t i o n ( V . E g g e r ) ; the p e r s o n w h o t h i n k s h i s
w o r d s by seeing t h e m w r i t t e n , w i t h o u t e i t h e r h e a r i n g or a r t i c u l a t i n g t h e m :
a l l these represent i r r e d u c i b l e types. T h i s p r e c l u d e s a l l d i s c u s s i o n . E a c h
p e r s o n is r i g h t , i n so f a r as he h i m s e l f , a n d p e o p l e l i k e h i m are c o n c e r n e d ;
but he w i l l be w r o n g , i f he generalizes w i t h o u t r e s t r i c t i o n
I t is m u c h to be d e s i r e d , t h a t t h e w o r k a c c o m p l i s h e d i n t h e s t u d y o f images
and d i f f e r e n t f o r m s o f language, w e r e l i k e w i s e a t t e m p t e d f o r g e n e r a l i d e a s .
I t is p r o b a b l e , t h a t here also w e s h o u l d find i r r e d u c i b l e types. T h u s B e r k e ley seems to me to t h i n k general ideas i n t h e visual
f o r m . A n y one w h o att e n t i v e l y reads c e r t a i n passages (too l o n g to t r a n s c r i b e here) o f t h e f a m o u s
I n t r o d u c t i o n t o the " T r e a t i s e o f H u m a n N a t u r e , " any one w h o studies i t , not
as a t h e o r y of general ideas, b u t as an i n s t r u m e n t o f p s y c h o l o g i c a l evidence,
a k i n d o f p s y c h o l o g i c a l c o n f e s s i o n , w i l l c o n c l u d e , t h a t to B e r k e l e y t h e gene r a l i d e a was a v i s i o n . " T h e idea o f m a n , t h a t I a m able to f o r m f o r m y s e l f , "
says he, " m u s t be t h a t o f a w h i t e , b l a c k , o r s u n b u r n t m a n , s t r a i g h t or bent,
t a l l , s m a l l , or o f m e d i u m size. I a m u n a b l e by any e f f o r t o f t h o u g h t to conceive t h e abstract idea b e f o r e d e s c r i b e d " [ n a m e l y , o f c o l o r t h a t is n e i t h e r r e d ,
b l u e , green, n o r etc., a n d w h i c h w o u l d s t i l l be a c o l o r ] . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d ,
t h e n o m i n a l i s t s seem to m e t o t h i n k g e n e r a l ideas u n d e r t h e p u r e l y
auditory
f o r m . T h e f a m o u s t h e o r y w h i c h makes o f u n i v e r s a l s m e r e "flatus
vocis"
( R o s c e l i n , H o b b e s , etc.,) appears, i n m y o p i n i o n , to a d m i t o f t w o i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s . T a k e n l i t e r a l l y , t h e t h e o r y is nonsense. T h e p u r e "flatus
vocis " is
a w o r d i n a language w h o l l y u n k n o w n — a w o r d n o t associated w i t h any idea,
a n d c o n s e q u e n t l y a m e r e s o u n d , a noise. I t is h a r d l y p r o b a b l e t h a t s e n s i b l e
t h i n k e r s have ever m a i n t a i n e d t h i s t h e o r y i n t h e f o r m u s u a l l y a t t r i b u t e d to
t h e m . T h e i r p o s i t i o n , I t h i n k , m a y be e x p l a i n e d by t h e f a c t , t h a t t h e n o m i n a l i s t s
are o f a h a r d , a l g e b r a i c t u r n o f m i n d , to w h o m t h e w o r d is s u f f i c i e n t , w i t h o u t
t h e a w a k e n i n g o f any i m a g e ; i n t h e m t h e r e i s no o t h e r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n t h a n
t h a t o f t h e s o u n d . W e are h e r e v e r y f a r f r o m B e r k e l e y .
S t r i e k e r , w h o is p u r e l y m o t o r y i n t h i s r e g a r d , w h o is u n a b l e t o t h i n k a
w o r d w i t h o u t a r t i c u l a t i n g i t , w h o depends as l i t t l e u p o n h e a r i n g , as is possible,
expresses h i m s e l f as f o l l o w s : " I have to a t t a c h some sort of an o b j e c t to every
VOL
discovering
and
U N
whether
internal
still
capable
Let
later
us
sible
we
E v e n
on,
i n the
to reflect w h e n
there
is n o
is
B u t
that
and
between
cases
that
yet here
tion
than
the
that
a steep
that
this
shall
great
even
and
even
w h e n
of
while
inhibition
physiological
the
reflection,
cannot
be
mechanism
fiercely
there
move-
p r o d u c t i o n
an
gesticulat-
one of invenforce
Definitively,
inhibition;
save
and
t h r o u g h
movements,
of m o v e m e n t s
of
re-
a
in sensorial attention,
of actual
expenditure
in the o u t w a r d direction,
is
produced
which,
expenditure
the
state : for. the
attention
the
I t is true, p e o p l e
o b j e c t i n v i e w is r a t h e r
that
run-
where
prove, that
expenditure
it.
impos-
of concentration, and excess of nervous
i t is p l a i n ,
prevents
we
not
not l o o k i n g at
is b e i n g d i s c h a r g e d t h r o u g h v a r i o u s e x i t s .
then,
is
i t is
ascent,
are
be
approaches
full speed,
state of attention.
ing;
external
experiment
however,
w h e n we
while striding about,
all
m o t i v e than the sake of
u p
flect
of
55
a l o n e — w o u l d
m u l t i t u d e of instances
antagonism
the
that
r u n n i n g at
climbing
A
of
n o t h i n g
any other
danger
landscape.
and
deprived
m o r b i d
incidentally remark,
or while
m e n t
T T E N T I O N
a man,
there
r u n without
an
A
of attention.
n i n g ;
is
Y
m o t i l i t y — a n d
practicable.
study
T A R
m o v e m e n t
i n a
is
and in
nascent
restitution
a vanishing of the state of con-
w o r d I possess, so t h a t i t w i l l n o t a p p e a r t o me l i k e a dead t e r m — l i k e a w o r d
i n a language t h a t is u n k n o w n to me. W h e n w o r d s occur to m y m i n d such as
' i m m o r t a l i t y , ' v i r t u e , ' and the l i k e , I u s u a l l y e x p l a i n the same to m y s e l f
n o t t h r o u g h w o r d s , b u t t h r o u g h v i s u a l images. A t t h e w o r d v i r t u e / f o r exa m p l e , I t h i n k o f a f e m a l e f o r m ; at t h e w o r d ' b r a v e r y ' o f an a r m e d m a n ,
e t c . , " ( O p . c i t . , p p . 80, 81). T h i s c o n c e p t i o n o f abstract a n d g e n e r a l ideas
m i g h t be c a l l e d t h e a n t i p o d e o f n o m i n a l i s m . I n m e d i c i n e , i t is s a i d , t h a t
t h e r e are no diseases, b u t o n l y p a t i e n t s ; i n the same m a n n e r t h e r e are no gene r a l ideas, b u t o n l y m i n d s t h a t t h i n k t h e m i n a d i f f e r e n t m a n n e r . I n s t e a d o f
p r o c e e d i n g p h i l o s o p h i c a l l y , t h a t is, s e e k i n g to r e d u c e e v e r y t h i n g to u n i t y , i t
w e r e h i g h t i m e , i t seems, t o p r o c e e d p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y , t h a t is, to d e t e r m i n e t h e
p r i n c i p a l types. A great m a n y discussions i n t h i s m a n n e r w o u l d doubtless
die a n a t u r a l d e a t h . A t a l l events, t h i s task appears to m e w o r t h y o f t h e
7
1
trouble of being attempted.
56
P S Y C H O L O G Y
sciousness—the
" is a
first t h i r d s " ; or
by
T o
conclude,
the
current
reflex action
B a i n
more
in
case.
such
a
any
" W h a t
is
Maudsley
nervous
action
the
a
a f r o n t e
driving
cause,
of the
expression
and
direct
one's
takes
place
cases,"
says
excitation
of
it.
in
into consciousness,
by
ideas,
i n the
then
into action.
I t
or
as
Consciousness
the
r e f l e c t i o n is not,
or
to
the
T h e
cart before
the
to
an
is
the
horse;
idea,
stirring it up
the
rather
vis
a
not
the
m o d e
of
p r o b l e m
consciousness
but
to
a
result,
psychological
of
appear,
than
a s i t i s s a i d , t o direct
attention
it by
is
m a n y
condition
w o u l d
consciousness,
excitation.
certain
maintenance
related
possible,
t w o
understood
w h a t
their
called
attracting
in
sciousness of
be
such
the
its
acting."
force that we m e a n by attention
puts
direct
and
in
all their
stimulate
that
tergo
ideas,
be
or
must
to
expresses it :
" v o l u n t a r i l y to
" i s
have
as i t m a y
then,
vis
of
they
to
w h a t
having
T h o u g h t , "
reduced
speaking
object,"
aptly,*
of energy,
brain,
see
it
"
elegantly
accomplished
currents
radiation
us
given
very
until
t h e m
let
expression
to
the
as
produces
impulsion.
t h i n k is to r e f r a i n f r o m
attention
of
that
into motor
Setchenoff,
" T o
A T T E N T I O N .
nerve-force
t r a n s f o r m e d itself
says
OF
a
t o arouse
certain
conpitch
of
activity."
H o w e v e r ,
a d m i t
that
m o t o r y
tion,
w e
the
and,
that
a
d o u b t f u l
point
general
mechanism
i n the
it chiefly consists of
are
still
induced
fected,
and
u p o n
fraught
more
w i t h
than
particular
so
limit
to
what
m u c h
still
case
an
h o w
does
it act.
is
obscurity,
to
its
* " P h y s i o l o g y o f M i n d , ' p p . 317, 318, 321.
of
of
I f
attention
voluntary
action
ask,
ourselves
remains.
this
T h i s
that
simple
of
is
atten-
inhibition,
inhibition
is a
w e
we
ef-
question
can
do
no
enunciation;
VOL
and
yet
t h o u g h
the
A
it will
be
better
purely
conjectural,
T T E N T I O N .
to
attempt
than
an
to
w o u l d
search
perhaps
for light
not be
i n an
answer,
appear
altogether
analogous
even
to
elude
but
unprofitable to
more simple
order
phenomena.
Reflex movements,
natural
and
innate,
secondary,
and
produced
whether
reflex actions
or reflex actions
fixed
w i t h o u t
continue a long
into
action, i n the
t i m e without
only
poses
m a y
is
an
likewise
B u t
more
there
choice
are
classes
longer
the
natural,
exercise
at the
vation
its b o d y .
are
the
observed
a
repeated
at
first
ne-
nor
effort,
to
be
all
great
thus
m i n i m u m
is, t h a t
muscle
i n
sought
of
the
I t
a
here
of
T h e
contracting
acts
of
do
u p o n
obseruseless
to
of
not
the
to
a part of
prevent
and
useful
reason
isolated movements
and
learning
is
no
demands
Daily
child
is
effort,
n u m b e r
m a x i m u m
effort.
mechan-
adaptation
endeavor,
are
writing,
by appropriate associations
to produce
that
for instance,
and
and
fatigue.
arms, eyes, head, a n d s o m e t i m e s
end
to
presup-
movements
b y fatigue.
a
produced :
this diffusion, and
w i t h
of
I n these instances,
that
T h e
associations
elements
action that
exercises
is a c c o m p a n i e d
write, moves
call
t i m e without
a r t i f i c i a l ; as,
choice,
shows,
m o v e m e n t s
T h e y
but laboriously acquired.
of
outset
long
all bodily
ical handicrafts.
and
attention, which,
hesitation
a
fencing,
are
their adaptation
reflex
continue
complex and
dancing,
nor
other
habit,
strictly m o t o r y order of things,
intellectual
neither
by
those
t h e y are the e q u i v a l e n t of spontaneous
similarly,
acquired,
fatigue.
cessary to their effectuation, while
I n the
are
proper,
hesitation, or effort,
organism,
e n d s is p e r f e c t .
that
b y repetition and
volition,
m a y
that
57
difficulty.
It
of
U N T A R Y
disw o r k
the
fact
exist
and
adjacent
58
P S Y C H O L O G
muscles
tained
apt
and
by
perhaps
often upon
some
people
Y
lucky
quickly ;
never
mains
always
ening
certain
at
A
m a n y
J T E X T I
others.
w i t h
it consists
movements,
inhibiting
all
V o l u n t a r y
same
i n
by
groups
artificial
W h e n
laborious state,
or
aim,
there
coordinating
and
by
one
in
task
be
f r o m
it.
to enter
tion,
?
E i t h e r
or a d m i t
an
motor elements
I n
such
tained
do
not
serve
also,
the
there
considerable
negative
w e
I f it be
B u t
must
a
energy
left to
A m o n g
principal
useless
if possible,
it m a y
m e c h a n i s m
of
sciousness
the
namely,
the
of
our
w h e r e b y
h o w
abandon
is
the
or
this
all
ac-
explana-
very
distinct
could
expended
For, indeed,
itself,
that
to
f r o m
f r o m
be
replied that
all
volition
t w o
feeling
b e g i n n i n g and
the
sus-
come,
accomplish
any
this
such
the
e n d ;
the
remains
f u n d a m e n t a l
hidden.
termini
of
sensa-
view-point
indeed the
remains
extremest
of
the ordinary course
is e x e m p t
objected
feeling
that
the
involved.
f u n d a m e n t a l m e c h a n i s m of voluntary attention
hidden,
consci-
portion
work,
intensity.
A n d whence
the
arising
expelled f r o m consciousness,
have
acts of inhibition ?
tion.
this
are
of the states of consciousness
effort.
thought,
into
action of inhibition exerted u p o n
cases w e
if n o t f r o m
A
are
to their least
complished
the
isolated states of
Here,
just in this
intrusive elements
reduced
into
in
isolated movements.
that
suppressed.
consists
re-
suppressing,
or d e t r i m e n t a l states of consciousness that,
must
t h e m
proceeds
prepares
series—for
m a n y
or deviate
or
strength-
one sees states of c o n s c i o u s n e s s
are
w i t h
however,
i n firmly
attention
ousness no m o r e exist than
t h e m
at-
others.
or
manner.
efforts :
mechanism,
s i m u l t a n e o u s g r o u p s or i n t o series,
in
is
a w k w a r d persons slowly,
T h e
s a m e ;
O X .
Success
hit, after repeated
all.
the
OF
alone
I n
conenter,
everything
else
V O L
takes place
a
U N T A R Y
A
T T E N T I O N .
in the physiological domain,
question
of
m o v e m e n t
or
doing
or
preventing,
effecting an
Attention
is
a
imposed
a
momentary,
subject-matter
states of consciousness) ; its
in
the
tion)
of
or i n the
tendencies,
primitive
be
of
else m i s c a r r i e s ;
stable ; if they
A
state
of
I n both
if they
do
not
play
i n
ness,
and
i n
so
tions,
and
if the
it w i l l
act
attention,
tingent,
i n
than
be
its p a r t
we
a
this ;
thus
w o r k
turn
series of
all
will
be
once
become
enters
"
it
is for m a n y
people
an
to
impossible
in
consciousfructify,
inhibi-
accomplish
creates
Voluntarily
n
and
nothing,
sterile, i f the associations are
i n vain.
into
direction
m a y
can
un-
vanish.
selections,
Attention
itself
states,
lacking,
states,
they
aim
the
will
of
appropriate
i n
atten-
have
of association
T h e
their
through
brain
this
attention
having
consolidations.
m o r e
I n
lies
determinate
(by inhibition) within our
that
o n w a r d
nothing
and
order
a
attention
the
course
cases, e m o t i o n a l
continue,
choosing
maintaining t h e m
of
vacillate,
i n its m u l t i p l e forms.
consists
ordinary
These
preponderant, the mechanism
the
monoideism)
attention.
consciousness
of
(spontaneous
awakened.
direction
a
point of departure
fixing in advance
must
producing
like sensibility
to
(the
circumstances
(voluntary attention).
be
provisional state
of
chance
it
inhibition.
I t is a f o r m (the t e n d e n c y
u p o n
whether
of
m i n d ; i t is n o t a p e r m a n e n t e n d o w m e n t ,
or m e m o r y .
59
poor,
direct
one's
task;
con-
for all.
in.
E v e r y
tention
w h i c h
one
k n o w s
is a l w a y s
bears
by
experience
accompanied
a direct
by
proportion to
that
a
the
voluntary
at-
feeling of effort,
duration
of
the
60
P S Y C I I O L OGY
state
and
the
does
this
mean
?
difficulty
feeling
Effort
f r o m
effort i n
account
First,
come,
is
most
w h i c h
is
T / O N .
r
m a i n t a i n i n g
effort
the
of
A T T E A
of
attention
muscular work.
ment,
of
general,
manifestation
to
OF
a
it.
and
w h a t
particular
c o m m o n
the
origin
does
instance
and
best
effort that
of
k n o w n
p r o p o u n d e d
of this feeling :
t h a t i t is of c e n t r a l o r i g i n — a n t e r i o r to
or at least s i m u l t a n e o u s
f r o m within to w i t h o u t ;
m o v e -
t h e r e w i t h ; that it passes
that i t is c e n t r i f u g a l — e f f e r e n t ;
the feeling of energy being displayed ; not resulting,
in
sensation
mitted
by
proper,
the
to the
out
to w i t h i n ;
tion,
the
been
of
the
Ferrier,
thirdly,
feeling of
a
W .
that
it passes f r o m
that,
feeling of
like every
withenergy
other
force exerted,
i t is
T h i s
composite theory
feeling of
pears
second
the
sensa-
Feeling
the
feeling of
has
been
of
(Charlton,
feeling
of
p e r i p h e r a l :
innervation,
a c c o m p l i s h e d ;
centripetal
accepted
of the first w h o studied
this
question.
w h i c h
is t h e
one.
M r . W .
to
( W u n d t ) .
that
b y
seems
that
be
most
I t has
James
been
i n his
E f f o r t , " (1880), i n w h i c h
energy
criticized
discussing
brain
f r o m
etc.).
then
also
tenable
fully expounded
the
m o v e m e n t
thesis,
most
to
or
centrifugal, and
J. M u l l e r , o n e
T h e
b o d y
i t is b o t h c e n t r a l a n d
first
in
that
James,
also
The
trans-
(Bain).
i t is a f f e r e n t ; t h e
displayed;
influence
as
peripheral origin—posterior
p r o d u c e d ;
and
"
external
nerves
it is o f
that
periphery
A n d ,
by
an
i t is t r a n s m i t t e d t h r o u g h c e n t r i p e t a l n e r v e s
Bastian,
a
that
m o v e m e n t s
t h a t has
f r o m
centripetal
Secondly,
it
accompanies
T h r e e opinions have been
for the
W h e n c e
the
developed
w i t h
facts
great
prior
acumen.
successively
to
recent,
very
apcare-
m o n o g r a p h
the thesis
of
m o v e m e n t ,
T h e
author,
involved,
has
'
V O L U N T A R V
pointed
out,
body
of an
or
tionless,
eye,
the
although
patient
have
cause a m o v e m e n t
body,
w h i c h has
that
the
tendons,
i n the
not
the
a
i t is o f
w h o
can
tain,
that
and
far- m o r e
L e t
set
not
the
the
facts
m o t o r
nervous
themselves
they
not
mysterious
now,
the
attention.
limited
to
as
of a
the
soul
u p o n
the
earlier
its
T h e y
see
organism.
deemed
w o r t h y of
T h e
designed
believe,
t h e m
an
effort
i n
to
set
is t h e
a
latter
first
(i860)
different
to definite
attempt
of
action
the
the
but
vague,
and
following passages of his
c i t a t i o n as
m o t o r
in it " an
localization of
the
this
existence,
o f t h e s o u l "
referring
of
psychologists
a precise
of
laws
particular case of
w h o
by
cer-
centripetal direction.
I
of attention,
all
those
discharge—the
Fechner,
forms
for
connects
into activity."
attempted
like
general
w h i c h
" state
brain,
glottis,
satisfactorily
speak of it only
hyperorganic manifestation.
the
compressed
E v e n
the
T h e
T h e y
of
d e f i n i t i v e , i t is
establishing
explain it.
terms,
resulting
that,
far m o r e
hypothesis
examine,
a c c o m p a n y i n g
of
as
eye
thence,
extension
origin.
part
in the
state
f r o m
be-
other
or
i n a word,
being insensible in the
us
do
etc.;
c o n f o r m i t y to
than
the
skin,
this thesis
it explains
i n
i t is
i m m o v a b l e chest, closed
peripheral
accept
the
m o -
devel-
concludes
afferent
muscles,
jaws,
apparatus
H e
ligaments, and the
eyebrows,
in the
limb,
the
a feeling of
to m o v e m e n t ) ,
complex
knit
remains
thesis of
been paralyzed.
an
feeling w i t h
the
corresponding
articulations, f r o m
physiology
61
feeling of energy
anterior
contraction of
sensations,
the
m e m b e r
is really p r o d u c e d
t h i s f e e l i n g is
f r o m
the
seems to justify
central innervation
of the
T T E N T I O N .
that if i n cases of paralysis of a part of
oped ( w h i c h
a
A
at
I
parts
have
explana-
tion :
" T h e
feeling of the effort of attention i n the
various
62
T S Y C H O L OG
Y
OF
A
T T F N I T O N .
organs of sense seems to me to be but a muscular
feeling
( M u s k e l g e f i i h t ) produced
motion,
b y
a k i n d
connected
question
can
we
w i t h
then
u p o n
the
different
arises : W i t h
strive to r e m e m b e r
m e
rience
sensory
interior
t i o n as
very
of
w i t h o u t
the
m a r k e d
the
by a
but
skin of
i n w a r d
over
the
contraction
of
e x p r e s s i o n s as
(sichden
(den
w h i c h
I once
time
i n
effort of
theory);
those
m a r k e d
degree
tempted
to
the
reflection
of
of
the
skin
w i t h
one's head
an
to
f r o m
endure
(and
any
F e c h n e r
first i n sensorial
transfer
that
our
of
to describe,
experiment.
differently
got
"
t h o u g h t s "
illness
thought
occiput,
of
at
the
particular
into
and
a
time
very
I
at-
describes
attention and
this
then
in
d o m a i n
of
:
I f w e
W e
f r o m
evidently
of the
collect one's
adopted
passage
attention
another,
definite feeling of change
"
the
contrac-
c r a n i u m ,
m o r b i d sensibility, every
following
sense to
cult
in
reflect."
feeling of effort,
one
not
a
utterly unable
not
expe-
perfectly agree
continuous
had
I
d u r i n g this illness the muscles of the skin,
particularly
In
I
I was
sense
a pressure
D u r i n g
suffered,
question
and
one's brains,
zusammennehmeri).
slightest
"
rack
and
w h e n
internal
muscles
w h i c h
K o p f z e r b r e c h e i i ) , " t o
K o p f
the
" t o
the
contraction
tension,
tension
whole
are
T h e
question.
of
head,
that
connected
M y
this
a
the
head—circumstances
such
to
sensation
cranium,
if of the
caused
something?
into
organs.
what muscular
a definite answer
a
setting
of reflex action, the muscles
the feeling of effort i n attention be
gives
the
but
W e
w e
f r o m
at
the
once
experience
of direction—a
w h i c h
designate
any
one
can
feeling
diffi-
reproduce
this change
as
a
a
by
tension
localized.
feel
a
tension
directed
f o r w a r d
in
the
eyes,
V O L U N T A R
Y
A
T T E N T L O N .
63
directed sidewise in the ears, and varying with the degree
or
of attention,
listen
speak
the
of
according
attentively
of the
to
attention
as
w e
w e
f r o m
the
w e
the
feeling
w i s h to
T h i s
W e
eye
to
the
is
very
rapidly change
is
smell,
look attentively
anything.
effort of attention.
difference w h e n
manner
as
w h y
we
clearly
feel
the
ear.
direction
I n
the
differently localized
taste,
or
to
touch
at,
same
according
anything
care-
fully.
" W h e n e v e r
as
possible
I
any
w i s h t o r e p r e s e n t t o m y s e l f as
recollection
or
image,
I
clearly
experience
feeling of tension very m u c h like that of attentive
or
attentive
audition.
B u t
is localized i n a m a n n e r
the
attentive
vision
cessive images,
in
of
the
it
is
organs that
any
only
real
the
the
recollection
and
the
w i t h d r a w s
tension
organs
part
of the
of
the
example,
person,
me
rest
all
senses
head
vividly
such
the
w h i c h
more
or
the
not
forward, but,
Since
the
time
researches, already
D a r w i n ,
the
w h i c h
and
of the
movements
greater
precision
* Elemente
of
der Psychophysik,
sensorial
external
not
giving
i n the
case
f r o m
the
of
that
external
the
b r a i n fills.
I f I wish,
for
to
myself
seem
as
an
Fechner's
authors
clearness
as
or
brought
I
strain
b a c k w a r d . "
w o r k
of
a
to
m y
*
appeared,
Duchenne,
that
have
to
object
to be
it were,
expression,
and
while
to o c c u p y
mentioned,
various
and
suc-
conscious
in proportion
attention
the
head
of
in
rather
person
vividly
at
the
become
seems
as
other
contrary,
I
to represent
object
the
completely
and
well
t o w a r d the
of
the
W h i l e ,
in front,
u p o n
images,
as
felt
direction
feeling of tension—on
of
is
vision
similar feeling
different.
objects
to bear
changes,
quite
totally
tension
b r i n g i n g attention
regions,
this
a
have
of
studied
imparted
m u c h
subject.
T h e
this
V o l . I I , pp. 490 and 475.
64
P S Y C H O L O G Y
part
sustained
Fechner
does
movements
that
by
speak,
and
holds
fire
a shot
out
actually
the
f r o m
I f
m o v i n g
Here,
the
has
one
to
be
of
w h i c h
noted.
T h e
a
very
stretches
out
one's
arm,
the
position required
can experience
the
is a clear
and
is B a i n ' s
thesis).
experiment
and
of the
perceptible
carefully
will
actively
contracts
tion
to
the
Let
h i m
breathe
he
not
then
that
act.
quire
to
O n l y
any
To
where
remain
serve,
be
been
that
his
of
the
s u m
and
up,
at
that
will
propor-
exerted
and
find,
by
continue
that
to
however
his
finger,
of consciousness
has
been
h i m .
actually
of
this essential,
ever
present,
set
can
aside,
as
i n the
consciousness
plausibility
i n
of
being
he
ef-
m o v e d ,
the
muscles
re-
latter
i n -
effort
ac-
attributed
current."
all times.
intense
be
in
and
w i t h
muscular
motionless,
glottis
connected
been
of
fixation
towards
trace
locally
done,
centrifugal
he
itself
a
muscles
to
reader
observe,
before
attention
w h e n
degree
as
and
slightest
factor has
has
the
his
finger
it will
spiratory
stance
the
felt
finger
whole time,
feel the
and
his
directs
fort until
his respiratory
of energy
place
the
m u c h
will
s u m
he
physical
to
closes his
that
the
heed
muscles
and
of
give
w i t h
chest
with-
feeling
if the
consciousness of effort coincides
of the
to
energy
contraction
" B u t ,
he
even
feeling of
case
real
without
state of his respiration,
the
by
w i t h o u t
hand,
themselves
this
finger
then,
of
importance,
s h o w n
in
his
developed,
effort (which
the
Ferrier
a pistol, one
of the
repeat
also
engender
index-finger
developed.
muscles
is
cases they
experiment.
energy
T T E N T I O X .
of r e s p i r a t i o n are of s u c h great
feeling of effort.
of
A
the respiratory movements,
not
in certain
simple
OF
w e
contractions
E v e n
will
i n
find,
are f o u n d
cases
if w e
i n
every-
w h i c h
w e
carefully
ob-
r e f l e c t i o n is a c c o m p a n i e d
by an
i n -
V O L U N T A R
cipient
the
word,
lips.
I n people
type—such,
our
motions
vision
imaginary
have
w e
of
:
is
the
a
pointed
w e
that
if
feel
a
as
must
pass
one
state of
must
the
different manner.
and
in a nascent
vision
w h i c h
and
the
of
r h y t h m
W e
W h a t
and
can
It
has
T h e
same
stage,
of
i n w a r d l y
i n
vision,
very
the
distant
state
i n
reflection.
there
are
the
eye
that
is,
i n
a
weaker
internal
Finally,
w i t h
modifications i n
respiration.*
origin
of the
does it m e a n
its origin
e n u m e r a t e d — t h e
feeling of effort in
namely,
attention,
?
in the
physical
necessary
states n o w
so
often
conditions of attention.
* M . Guge ( o f A m s t e r d a m ) has r e c e n t l y g i v e n the n a m e oiaproseky
d, n o t , a n d irpocexztv,
case
that
operation, though
place
of
convergence
v i s u a l axes,
of
connear,
i n such a
state of
u p o n
Strieker,
vision of a very
change
or
is f i x e d
after h i m
muscles
takes
i n all cases,
audition,
n o w answer the question above put,
is t h e
w h a t
motor
m o t o r y
to
supposed
the
and
unfavorable
h a v i n g
the
of
accompanies
all p e r s o n s
and
I n real
f r o m
tongue,
closed,
object
parallelism
innerve
ideal
65
to the
most
of
m a r k e d
eyes.
to the
are
mental
of the
one
belong
after
of an
innervation
this,
as
Czermak,
image
will
not
although
abruptly pass to the
object,
do
larynx, the
state
eye,
out,
the
T T E N T 1 0 N .
the
that
objects.
templated
A
consequently,
thesis—there
ideal
V
It
(from
t o give a t t e n t i o n ) to the i n c a p a c i t y of f i x i n g one's at-
t e n t i o n on a c e r t a i n o b j e c t by reason o f a d i m i n u t i o n of the nasal r e s p i r a t i o n
d u e to c e r t a i n c i r c u m s t a n c e s , such as a d e n o i d t u m o r s i n the pharyngo-nasal
c a v i t y , p o l y p s o f the nose, etc.—A c h i l d , seven years o l d , h a d succeeded i n
l e a r n i n g , d u r i n g a w h o l e year, o n l y the t h r e e f i r s t l e t t e r s o f the alphabet. H a v i n g been o p e r a t e d u p o n f o r its a d e n o i d t u m o r , the same c h i l d i n a s i n g l e week
l e a r n e d the e n t i r e a l p h a b e t . A n u m b e r o f college students, s u f f e r i n g f r o m t h e
same a f f e c t i o n , w e r e u n a b l e t o l e a r n a n y t h i n g . T h e i r sensation was h e a d a c h e
a n d v e r t i g o every t i m e they e n d e a v o r e d to fix t h e i r a t t e n t i o n . T h e y w e r e able
w i t h o u t f a t i g u e to r e a d a p h r a s e six or t e n times, b u t w i t h o u t u n d e r s t a n d i n g
w h a t t h e y h a d read, t h o u g h n o t t h i n k i n g o f a n y t h i n g else. T h i s c i r c u m stance d i s t i n g u i s h e s t h i s state f r o m o r d i n a r y d i s t r a c t i o n . (Biologisches
Centralblatt,
J a n u a r y 1, 1888.)
66
P S Y C H O L O G Y
is s i m p l y
pends
their
on
A
reverberation
the
quantity
contractions,
ing
C P
in consciousness.
and
of organic
T T E X T I O X
quality
of
the
like
that
of every
de-
muscular
m o d i f i c a t i o n s , etc.
p o i n t is p e r i p h e r a l ,
It
Its
start-
other
sensa-
tion.
T h i s
sient
ism
means,
state,
the
obscure
an
m a n
w o r n
tion,
or
w h o
word,
all
tention,
quires
a
tention
dition
the
t h e r e is,
of
energy.
that
very
is
w h i c h
is a n
m a d e ;
this
fore we
to
I
do
like
have
W h e n
w o r k
sleep
f r o m
capital
state
by
at
after
fatigue
that
N o w
the
f r o m
T h i s
insist
cannot
surveyed
end of the
day's
our
illness;
incapable
a
of
at-
it
re-
be
expended.
I n
the
at-
to
an
B u t
state of
of
a
con-
energy
into
initial
of
is
the
profitably
subject
in
of w o r k ,
observation
be
A
exer-
m o m e n t
it.
or
mental
of potential
the
u p o n
attention
transformation
forms
f r o m
f o r m
m a y
;
this
pass
is p r o d u c e d .
great
of distraction
viva
we
a serious
other
accordingly,
effect.
question
of
every
different
not
tranorgan-
and
individuals, are
s t r e s s i n t o vis
kinetic
a
of the
of sensorial
a long walk,
debilitated
f r o m
state
recovering
reserve
exhaustion
remains.
succumbs
because
passing
of
point
by
task ; a person
abnormal,
is f a t i g u e ,
augmentation
out
is a n
inactivity.
ordinar)' state to the
reflection,
A
a rapid
effort there
is f u n c t i o n a l
One
attention
producing
; for after
there
that
m o m e n t
effort
felt,
incidentally
investigation
attempted
be-
i n its totality.
IV.
Experimental researches upon voluntary attention
have
confirmed, and
tain
conclusions,
i m p a r t e d
w h i c h
greater precision to,
nevertheless
follow
cer-
naturally
V O L U N T A R V
f r o m
a correct
researches
as
they
are
either
the
i t as
the
the
j u d g m e n t ,
indirect,
These
according
inhibition,
more
time
m o r b i d
means
states, or
and
duration of
choice,
etc.
f o u n d
i n
people,
of
functional
A
associa-
Attention
in
is,
state,
of
in men,
life,
have
people,
doubtless
must
given
i 3 3 ^ f ;
as
the
general
the
second
was
fact
people
the
on
;
at
condition of the
by
of
their
power
of
and
y o u n g
a less
rapid
O n
fortunate
the
power
has
established
the
enough
2 8 1 6
other
to
183CT.
period
just
of
discover
i n
a very considerable
the
the
same
normal
the
state
a patient
average
allowed
a subject
the
w h e n
experi-
attained,
Stanley
and
Hall,
w h o
that
hypnotic
diminution
at
time
this malady
been
hand,
I n
the
about
has
of correctly reacting
in
1710*; i n
paralysis
patient
investigation,
7550*.
time
i n case of headache,
of
even
depend
a
requires
latter,
in adults
average
beginning
mental
i n
p e r f o r m e d u p o n
somnolence,
the
psy-
activity.
has
166a
than
w h i c h
than
of
was
all
generally
developed
fatigue and
the
fact,
is e s s e n t i a l l y
attention
series of experiments,
person,
other
perceptions,
individuals
than
i n old
w h i c h
that
ignorant
m o d e
inhibition ;
va-
according
instrument
to w h o m attention
culture ; i n w o m e n
particular
as
researches.*
Obersteiner,
of
subject.
f u n d a m e n t a l psychical condition of almost
chometrical
of
the
67
attention i n itself, i n its i n d i v i d u a l
researches u p o n
tions,
of
direct or
i n its n o r m a l a n d
study
T T E N T I O N .
understanding
they investigate
riations,
A
had
state,
of
the
• Consult f o r details and arrangement of experiments : Obersteiner,
Exp e r i m e n t a l Researches on A t t e n t i o n , " i n Brain,
Jan , 1879; W u n d t , " Physiological Psychology," V o l . I I , Chap. X V I ; Exner i n Hermann's "
Handbuch
der Physiologies
V o l . I I , p a r t I I , p . 283, et seqq ; Stanley H a l l , " R e a c t i o n
T i m e a n d A t t e n t i o n i n the H y p n o t i c S t a t e , " i n Mind, A p r i l , 1883.
t c» t h e u n i t i n a l l t h e figures g i v e n , is e q u a l to one o n e - t h o u s a n d t h of a
11
second.
68
P S Y C H O L OGY
OP
A
T T E N T 1 0 X .
time of reaction, which passes from an average of 328*7
(normal
m i g h t
ism
state)
have
been
peculiar
W u n d t
upon
denly,
in the
he
ject
and
of
hypnosis.
have
m a d e
to
and
react,
been
rise
completely
a
definite
constantly
second
Thus,
the
case
to
w h a t
considered,
stage in the
ideism
is b u t
while
253*7,
taneous,
question
and
case of
w i t h
the
to
us
they
be
of
presumed,
some
impressions
are
sub-
u p w a r d
w h i c h
to
of a
result
of the
i n
determine
been
w h i c h
different nature,
the
i n
76*7.
simplest
w i t h
a v i e w
to
stated.
aspect
i t is a
preparatory
image
T h e
that
of
an
state of
the
two,
is
the
anterior
one
m o n o event
already
almost
produced,
event
real
representation
experiments
have
falls
intellectual
that
is e v o k e d .
the
it
it
o r / ^ - a t t e n t i o n .
the
the
time
been
signal to
previously
seen
to
distraction
5000*,
attention
attention,
it will
course
I n
is
as
m i g h t have
figure of
been
reinforcement
existing.
time
(both
I n this
as
i n the
present
has
is f o r m e d ; w i t h
the
the
notifying the
is to f o l l o w .
enormous
in expectant
or
advance.
impression
forth
signal
diminishes,
experiments
corroborating
If
set
sud-
described
to
the
further necessitate a few remarks,
foreseen
h i m
in
as
Finally,
f o r m t h e s t a t e c a l l e d expectant
be
impression
u p o n
not
sub-
f r o m uncertainty t o w a r d certainty, the
to
These
produced.
impression
anticipated.
If,
monoide-
experiments
described
but
that
First, the
c o m i n g
its force,
and
the
reaction
T h e y
the
other
n o r m a l condition.
is
time),
progression
the
of
state of distraction ; the
i t is t o be
w h e n
m a y
reason
result
i m p r e s s i o n to be r e c e i v e d b y h i m is
accurately
nature
of
E x n e r
to its nature
is
state
by
w i t h o u t having
Then, the
at w h i c h
foreseen,
in the
which
and
193*7 ( h y p n o t i c s t a t e ) — a
the
and
is t a k e n
against
as
to
persons
ject
to
simuland
i n
auditive
the
time.
(the
V O L
stroke
there
the
U N T A R Y
of a bell),
the
is a tendency
stronger
toward
W u n d t
other
W h i l e
w a s
engaged
able,
at will,
one
a n d n o w the other.
the same
second
If
a n d
according
to
perceive
W h e n
of
kind,
to the
direc-
first
a
in
manner,
this
of the
is liable,
real
are
noticed
attention be
state
nervous
induces
centres
at t h e least shock,
impulsion.
can
n o w the
the t w o excitations
expectant
it will be f o u n d that
into
was
;
unperceived.
aspect
verted
produce
a
pre-
a n d
the
to be
Representation
a reaction,
con-
con-
alone,
without
ex-
cause.
T h i s
explosive
w h i c h
the
d e t e r m i n e d ;
attention
expected
w h i c h
throughout
tension,
the
state
impression
is
n o t
i n cases
beforehand
expectant
T h e m o t o r i n n e r v a t i o n is
all the
a feeling
such
is especially p r o d u c e d
m i g h t be called cases o f
i n general.
produced
ing
that
of this
b y
w h i c h
buted
either
or, secondly,
passes
muscles,
in
spark),
first,
o n l y t h e first is distinctly
innervation
ternal
as anterior,
i n researches
attention,
paratory
this
(an electric
nature,
t h e motor
sidered,
69
our attention d u r i n g the experiment
given to his
the
visual
to consider
tion
of
T T E N T I O N .
of the t w o impressions,
w h i c h
directed.
A
of
sensorial
disquietude
regions.
There
will
bring
is
a n d d i s c o m f o r t ; of
that a falling b o d y or an accident
experiment
distri-
about
attend-
an automatic
re-
determined
be-
action.
W h e n
forehand,
out
is
the expected
the path
i n advance
localized.
and
even
W h e n
ent
of m o t o r
; instead
T h e
attain
time
it is necessary
of
is t o
diffused, the
reaction
traced
tension
can become
zero
value.
be
o r as t h e r e s u l t
that
is
innervation will be
of being
a negative
the reaction
processes,
impression
a change
effected t h r o u g h
differ-
of different excitations,
be produced
i n the cen
:
P S Y C H O L O G Y
tres that
nervous
in
paths—a
reacting,
reach,
N .
I n
watch,
T h e
at
and
same
is
the
in
O u r
come
of
neous
be
they
are
W h a t
of
always
cause
of
perception,
of
the
i n attention,
assimilation
the
real
changed
before
us,
dergoes
oscillations.*
objective
is
to
organs
?.
they
oscillations
t w o
simulta-
the other acoustic,
origin,
Y e t
;
usually
o p i n i o n
to
and
such
the
o u g h t
is n o t
never
to
the
coincide
;
by a clearly defined interval.
periodicity
it
is
that
o w i n g to
is a d d e d
of
due
oscillations
L a n g e
Sensorial
* L a n g e , Beitrage
fictiven Apperception*'
are
sim-
optic
sensory
I n his
reinforcement
impression
impression.
so.
a
m o m e n t
w e — a s
the
other.
this
is h e r e
of
reinforced.
are n o t
M u s t
and
images
'f he
one
w i t h
of peripheral
separated
atten-
of a w a t e r f a l l ; and
optic and
of
researches
ticking
at
is a t t e n t i v e
each
A c c o r d i n g to
oscillation
present
one
t w o kinds
is
variations
cause,
are
the
observed
think
one
if they
is the
tions ?
ists
not
and
second.
distinctly
to fatigue of
W h e n
independent
is
subjective.
excitations,
case 3 the
been
a central
oscillations,
it
persists
sensorial
night,
sound
These
t h e m
attention.
a
of
distance,
next
have
does
f r o m
the
certain
the
only be
author
of
the
enormously,
h i g h as
oscillations
true of the
done—ascribe
as
I f one
mention the experimental
tactile sensations.
can
in the direction of
increase
Exner,
a
ilar oscillations
they
will
silence
placed
heard
to
u p o n
the
a change
time
also
L a n g e
tion.
not
the
must
A T T E N T I O N .
very f a t i g u i n g state.
according
W e
of
shall produce
OF
of
to be
the
sought
i n
the
accompany
sensorial
that
w a y
the
in
this
fact,
that
the
i m a g e
of
attention
w o u l d
seem
impression
w i t h the
oscilla-
that
an
to
the
anterior
to be
remains
anterior image,
ex-
w h i c h
an
unun-
zur Theorie
der Sinnlichcn
Aufmerksamkeit
und
der
i n t h e Philosophische
Studien,
1887. V o l . I V , Part I I J.
VOL
It
will
resembles
u p
w i t h
be
an
U N T A R Y
seen, i n
fine,
independent
A
that
attention
activity;
perfectly determined
it acts only t h r o u g h the latter,
same.
T T E N T I O N .
that
7i
in no
it
is
respect
b o u n d
physical conditions,
a n d is d e p e n d e n t
on
that
the
C H A P T E R
I I I .
THE MORBID STATES OF ATTENTION.
To COMPLETE the study of attention, an examination
of
the
here
m o r b i d
to construct
pretension
were
premature.
b y
cases
still
a
pathology
too
B u t
psychology,
there
which,
still d e m a n d
better
understanding
will
O u r
the
state
(the
signates
"
yet
at
w i t h
any
cessantly
whose
degree
f r o m
one
most
their
surroundings.
and
tion.
w o m e n .
cases
is
B u t
people
w h o ,
really
"
w h i c h
at-
attention
state
the
m i n d ,
to
contrary.
W e
and
another,
is t h e
m e t
i n
this.
b y
regard
to
w h o
at
the
devery
" d i s fix
it-
pass inm e r c y
of
trifling events
i n
state
of
mobil-
of
children
idea,
w h a t
attenand
applied
T h u s
some
to
our
I t
call
very reverse
w i t h
f r o m
absorbed
i n
in
apparently,
" d i s t r a c t i o n " is also
different
distracted"
n o r m a l
an e q u i v o c a l sense.
I t is a p e r p e t u a l
w h o l l y
the
w i t h
this
w h i m s , or of any
frequently
entirely
for
notice.
but
of persistence,
the t e r m
c o m m o n -
i n t e l l i g e n c e is u n a b l e
idea
transient
dispersion,
I t
has
of
contrasts
d i s t r a c t i o n " ;
their
ity
usually
a
neglected
s o m e w h a t
reader's
b o t t o m totally
" people
such
u n d e r t a k i n g
tacts,
m e c h a n i s m
the
states of
propose
T h e i r importance
of the
F r e n c h )
certain
similar,
tracted
speech
not
the
certain
review.
do
attention :
and
although
escape
called
language
self
not
daily
are
I
of
ambitious,
place,
tention,
remains.
i n
to
there
are
are
also
takes
place
M O R B I D
around
and
them
allow
their
tion
S T A T E S
\ they
the
minds.
afford
latter
Such
for the
very
OF
to
no
hold
flit
by
people
reason
A T T E N T I O N .
to external
w i t h o u t
appear
that
are
to
so
well
k n o w n
cite them.
f r o m
amounts
the
are
one
to
idea
i n fact,
w e
the
idea."
"
fixed
Yet
the
such
logical.
of
t h e m
the
tention,
mitted
according
types
i n
cases,
distraction
of
a
of
under
are
mania,
is s t u d i e d ,
to
w e
some
m o r b i d
name
of
in fact
all
u p o n
its
the
disease, such
etc.
sys-
endeavor
placing
T o
us
serve
only
disorders
of
generally
as
atad-
hypochondria,
T h i s
method,
has
the
the
fact of
bestill
atten-
Attention, in
sake,
to
deviations.
reiterations,
f o r its o w n
a
must
u p o n
and
fullness of light.
not
like
attention
to various,
of not
patho-
rational order.
studying
perpetual
the
greater
clearly
shall
it devolves
demency,
willT h e i r
the
are,
b y
transfer
that
anything
latter,
t h e m
of m e n t a l
proper
to
of its nature
referred
entailing
in the
on
transi-
escape.
f o r m
n o r m a l
and
greater inconvenience
tion
to
u p o n f o r m s that are
authors,
melancholy,
sides
desire
pretending
variations
have
amounts
their idea,
"distraction,"
this purpose,
Certain
useless
precisely
difficulty
later
is
instructive, and we shall derive
our starting-point,
note
it
those whose
mitigated
shall study
dwelling
accomplish
that
the incessant
riveted to
any
atten-
distraction,"
distinguished
classification of the
to group
"
distraction
by
great
are
is a
W i t h o u t
tematic
the
forms
little
profit f r o m
are
of
attentive.
manifestations, daily occurring,
different
whole, but
another,
w i t h o u t
state w h i c h
as
to
T h e y
prisoners
condition,
those whose
absorption
of this kind.
instances
characterized
impossibility or
ing
the
W h i l e
to dispersion
tion
are
penetrating
very
M a n y scholars have been noted for their
and
events,
incapable
they
73
but merely
such
as
a
P S Y C H O L O G Y
s y m p t o m .
garded
W i t h
as
a
rest is b u t
forms be
us,
fact
of
on
can
pathology
If,
tion
as
as
or
we
the
state,
or
instruct
note
as
the
i.
following
group
of
cannot
longer
a simple
limiting
a destructive,
not
allowing
direction,
within
more
of
one
f r o m
to
ideas and
f o r m
the
first
2.
w h i c h
is
the
m i n d
be
clearly
to
fixed,
or
one
and
that
latter;
of ideas
of
save
i n
is
one
escape,
and
is e x t r a n e o u s
cases of this
w h i c h
it
consciousness
H y p o c h o n d r i a , and,
group,
no,
everything,
it cannot
w h i c h
no
association,
enslaving
w h i c h
I t is
better
class.
I shall
to
still,
T h e y
designate
attention.
second
attention
indeed,
current
this
consciousness.
current
are
natural
state,
of spontaneous
f r o m
m o r b i d
I n the
produced
by
; — i f
stable,
prolification
ecstasy,
of
intellectual
able
direction of the
its o w n p r e d o m i n a n c e .
often,
our
the
atten-
:
becomes
bed,
alone
define
of an
be
or less sterilizing all that
fixed
n o w
shall
the
clearly
condition
w e
imprisoning
hypertrophy
w e
tyrannical power,
a narrow
this
should
type,
antagonist
of
n o r m a l
individual
deviations
its activity
the
t r u n k — t h e
the
be d i s l o d g e d
all
m o r b i d
of
that
re-
the
accompanied
predominance
states,
be
us.
of states,
its n o r m a l
to
while
that
predominance
group
Absolute
O n
formerly done,
temporary
of a
order,
c o m m o n
relations.
have
it has
that at all t i m e s w e
artificial adaptation
taken
foremost
to the
its p r o p e r
contrary,
I t is r e q u i s i t e
state ; i t is r e q u i s i t e ,
discern
A T T E N T I O N .
the
the
accessory.
attached
OF
group
cannot
attention
under
of ideas
shall
cannot
form.
m a i n
is so
rapid and
flux no
to
an
comprise
maintained,
t w o
becomes a prey
this disorderly
be
I
cases
or
T h i s
i n
w h i c h
incapacity
conditions.
exuberant,
A t
times
that
unbridled automatism.
particular
state
i n
either
lasts
the
I n
or
M O R B I D
predominates
for
a
; no
m o m e n t .
retaliates
out
S T A
; it alone
above
average
fests
taneous
of
way
m a r k s
an
a
to
amplify
only
be
the
we
undecided,
all forms
former, we
m a y
and
r e m a r k
rather
and
and
in extreme
T h i s
in-
states
i m p o t e n c y
of exhaustion.
shall
B y
designate
t e n d i n g
t o w a r d
first
this
group
spontaneous
like
has
an
natural
very verge
T h e
the
decrease.
forces,
one
is
other
is
been
not
its
stated.
is
pre-
transform
it,
attention,
on
m a y
extend
of extravagance,
b o t t o m ,
one
Already,
previously
Spontaneous
atten-
exaggerated
increase;
does
of
T h e
all artificial products,
disease
t r a n s f o r m e d ; at
other
towards
w h a t
all
the
of concentration.
it to collapse.
like
to
force, the
tends
vacillating;
that
to voluntary attention.
p o w e r
attention,
to the
i n apathetic
fatigue, etc.
allied
verifies
contrary,
spon-
is unsteady,
w i t h
second
dissolution,
the
is i m p o s s i b l e , e i t h e r
attention.
of the
causes
diffi-
in intoxication,
of
but
m a n i -
or extreme
i n convalescents,
mental
evolution,
carious,
of
irri-
exaggerated
V o l u n t a r y
diminution
Subjectively, this state
impossibility
the
f r o m
the
pathology
beyond
suffering
states is
weakness,
or
the
in persons
in short,
an
pass
w h e n
patients,
and
and
times,
w i t h
Incidentally
tion,
absence
delirium,
met
atrophy
m o r b i d
not
with-
of this are
of contrast
group
does
and
instances
individuals,
coincides,
association
forms of
A t other
is
of
all its p o w e r ,
certain
Convergence
weakness,
bodily
m e c h a n i s m
N u m e r o u s
hysterical
sensible
even
mania.
artificial; all
dispersed.
table
o f a t t r a c t i o n is f o r m e d ,
are
t h r o u g h the
or
7 5
of association
culty of effort.
in
Such
of inhibition.
itself
A T T E N T I O N .
w i t h
intensity, there
p o w e r
OF
the
acts
all acute
m e c h a n i s m
the
centre
H e r e
opposition.
and
T E S
nature
but
and
it
can
does
not
76
P S Y C I W L O G V
alter:
i t is
becomes
3.
of
like a light
a
T h e
breeze
third group
but
are
instances
the
m o r e
T T E N T I O N
at
first,
embraces,
that
afterwards
not the m o r b i d
cases of congenital
in w h i c h
so,
only
A
tempest.
attention,
least,
OP
appear
infirmity.
spontaneous
v o l u n t a r y attention,
f o r m s
attention,
do
not
intermittently.
Such
and
f o r m ,
This,
in
or,
and
i n the
at
different
degrees, is m e t w i t h i n idiots, i n i m b e c i l e s , i n the
minded,
all
weak-
demented.
After this hasty
classification, let us pass to
details.
1.
It is well, in the first place, to observe, that there is
an
almost
insensible
transition
f r o m
the
n o r m a l
to the most extravagant f o r m s of the fixed idea.
body
b y
m u s t
a
have
musical
obstinately
reason.
state
experienced
air,
or
keeps
back
fixed idea
preoccupation
so
it is to be
insignificant
c o m i n g
T h i s is the
of
some
w h a t
called,
takes
a
the
examination,
be
undertaken,
w h i c h
of
for an
and
w i t h o u t
sick person,
a h u n d r e d other
constituting
an
actual
its
intermittence, the
I t has
m o r e
eclipses
the
part.
A s
being,
there
sound
that
h u m a n
regulates
f r o m
do
not
a
his c o n d u c t ;
w a y
the
stability
its m o m e n t a r y
principal
b y
of
than any
matter
of
is a l w a y s
as
degree
attending
j o u r n e y
to
kind,
repetition.
idea
depths
prevent
such
one
T h e
beleaguerment
N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g
sciousness.
act
that
visible
facts of this
yet
starting up
us
a long
do
suddenly
a n y
or that
consciousness,
vivid,
all
haunted
i n its lightest f o r m .
higher : anxiety about
preparation
E v e r y -
saying,
w i t h o u t
state
remains
of
uncon-
other,
it f r o m
fact,
playing
i n
every
a d o m i n a n t
pleasure,
and
idea
m o n e y ,
M O R B I D
ambition,
w h i c h
or
S T A T E S
the
lasts
soul's
is s u b s t i t u t e d
into
fixed
a
attention
passion
and
all
a
fixed
idea
" W h a t
is
thought
of
m a n y
so
a
m u c h
our
absorbing
pronounced
this
more
life ?"
tyrannical,
a
phase
decidedly
a
not,
i n
de
" A
age."
I n
has
frequently been
one
can
hardly
fact,
b y
dis-
to
and
the
w e
all its
are
into
very
able
degrees;
m a n y
stages
most
complete
germinate
although
attention
and
the
obses-
g r o w but
consequently
it
and
mental
conditions, yet
its origin,
rise
beyond
the
whether
the
A n d
it makes
sufferings of
the
no
in
presup-
physical
degrees.
to
for
f r o m
average
of s p o n t a n e o u s a t t e n t i o n ; the a u g m e n t a t i o n
slowly,
men.
V i g n y ;
mature
Here,
great
it cannot
a favorable soil,
does
o n
p a t h o l o g i c a l , is
to note
preoccupation
certain
depend
i n great
spontaneous
i n hypochondriacs.
A l t h o u g h
poses
that
character.
disease embraces
sion.
that
resolved
of attention into
clearly seen
" t h o u g h t "
where
proves
appearance
asks Alfred
its evolution, and
slightest
m o r e
i n
idea,
cases
finally
metamorphosis
m e n this
and
idea,
follow
of
transformation of
fixed
once
youth, realized
its m o r b i d
T h i s
w h i c h
T h e
great
famous
pute
a
is
i n
for it—becomes
;
77
T h i s 'fixed
life—except
its f o r m s
e m o t i o n a l states.
A T T E N T I O N .
salvation.
throughout
another
OF
it
level
is e f f e c t e d
difference,
patient
be
real
i n
or
imaginary : f r o m the subjective, psychological point of
view
t h i s is a l l one.
fact of
the
in
fixing
heart,
our
the
tends
to
respect,
could
k n o w , indeed,
attention u p o n
stomach,
consciousness
the general
W e
the
strange
any
peculiar
feel pain
itself.
intestines,
gifts.
in any
etc.,
sensations—an
S o m e
Sir
region
J.
the
part of our
law, that every state of v i v i d
actualize
that
people
B r o d i e
of his b o d y
mere
body,
produces
instance
of
consciousness
have,
said,
i n
this
that
he
whatever,
b y
78
P S Y C H O L O G Y
OF
A T T E N T I O N .
strongly fixing upon it his attention. Now, to fix our
attention
persist
first
s i m p l y
and
to
A
to
allow
predominate.
harmless,
produces.
means,
increases
centre
a
T h i s
t h r o u g h
certain
state
to
predominance,
at
the
v e r y
of a t t r a c t i o n is established,
little by little obtains
supreme control of
It
a perpetual
then
grows
cessant
to
be
inspection
products
of each
of
the
often has
B u t
more
been
there
i n short,
organ
the
state
m u c h
as
passed
of
out
H o w e v e r ,
fixed ideas
ture,
ness,
has
certain
are
as i t s
c o m -
picture
extraordinary
the
ideas
authors
so
of
u p o n
of
profited
little
by
w i t h
and
this subject
psychiatry,
re-
called.
have studied t h e m
dissertations
and
intel-
caricature
properly
d o m a i n
it seems
are
of
the
colhave
and
hith-
t h e m — a t
least
attention.
almost
universally agreed
be classed into three
S i m p l e fixed
or
speak,
fixed
of the
m a y
w h i c h
m o r e
observations
regards
in-
and
b y virtue of their purely
to
are
psychology
f a r as
ideas
Unfortunately, the
results
i.
so
contemporary
care.*
lected
erto
are,
These
Various
not
fixed
infrequent, w h i c h
flection.
an
portrayed.
are
lectual nature
which
preoccupation,
state of each
function;
it
consciousness.
plete h y p o c h o n d r i a m a k e s its a p p e a r a n c e
so
effects
most
not
ideas
of
a
insignificant acts
categories
purely intellectual
frequently pent
manifested
great
u p
o u t w a r d l y
that
in
:
na-
conscious-
save
t h r o u g h
;
* W e s t p h a l , " U e b e r Z w a n g s v o r s t e l l u n g e n - (Archiv
fiir
Psychiatric,
1878) ; B e r g e r , " G r u b e l s u c h t u n d Z w a n g s v o r s t e l l u n g e n " [Ibid,,
Vol. VIII) ;
Krafft-Ebing, " L e h r b u c h der P s y c h i a t r i c " and " U e b e r Geistesstftrungen
d u r c h Z w a n g s v o r s t e l l u n g e n ' {Zeitschrift
fiir Psychiatrie,
V o l . X X X V ) ; Griesinger, " U e b e r e i n e n w e n i g b e k a n n t e n p s y c h o p a t h i s c h e n Z u s t a n d "
{Archiv
fiir Psych.,
V o l . 1 ) ; M e s c h e d e , " U e b e r k r a n k h a f t e F r a g e s u c h t " [Ze it. fiir
Psych., V o l . X X V I I ) ; B u c c o l a , Le ideefissee
le loro condizioni
fisiopatologiche
(1880;: T a m b u r i n i , Sulla pazzia
del dubbio e suite idee fisse ed impulsive
(1883);
L u y s , Des Obsessions
pathologiques
( E n c e p h a l e , 1883) ; C h a r c o t & M a g n a n ,
De Vonomatomanie
( i n the Archives
de Neurologie,
1885).
M O R B I D
2.
S T A T E S
OF
A T T E N T I O N " .
F i x e d ideas accompanied
terror
and
agony,
b y
agoraphobia,
emotions,
the
79
such
insanity of
as
doubt,
etc.;
3.
the
F i x e d ideas
of
an
impulsive
n a m e of irresistible tendencies,
selves
i n violent or
criminal
form,
k n o w n
that manifest
acts
by
t h e m -
(theft, homicide, sui-
cide).
A l t h o u g h
tween
the
there
three
is n o
classes,
specific character
intelligence,
emotional
ously
are
It
order,
parcel
and
first
that
of
f r o m
the
is
the
m a y
a
say,
third
rather
depends
to keep
cases
feelings
strictly
the
of
the
to
the
u p o n
latter t w o w i l l be
of
be-
that
perturbation
investigations,
pathology
all alloy—to
demarcation
belongs
T h e
our
of
w e
second
far preferable
free f r o m
that
the
the
line
still,
of the will.
excluded
is b y
of
that
enfeeblement
clear
an
rigor-
because
they
and
will.
the
to cases that
are
strictly comparable
state of relative m o n o i d e i s m w h i c h
with
is c a l l e d
atten-
tion.
But
even
amples
of
received
nant
i n restricting ourselves
fixed
different names
character.
mathematical
of
such
and
a
ideas will
and
W i t h
f o r m
such
more
size
W h y
are
in an
and
affected w i t h
not
see
her
will,
to multiply.
numerous
T h e y
idea
W h y
are
w o u l d
follow
town,
then
an
of
the
enumeration
all
the
towns
of
of
p r e d o m i assumes
are
a
people
such
trees of such
or
such
other
object.
endless
** A
of
have
of
s y m p t o m s
n u m b e r
ex-
houses
certain
of
the
Italy,
hysteria
and
could
against
streets
and
to
w o m a n ,
paving-stones
all
Still
necessity
a street w i t h o u t b e g i n n i n g at once,
to count
group,
their
fixed
W h y
frequently, it consists
add,
on
?
every
to
to
(arithmomania).
a
so
lacking.
the
w i t h
count,
A n d
be
according
some
such dimensions ?
height?
not
to this
;
of
finally
then
the
of
80
F S 3 T H O Z O G Y
Italy's
streams
corn,
there
and
OF
A T T E N T T O N .
rivers.
immediately
I f
began
she
in
beheld
a
brain
the
her
bag
w o r k
of
e n u m e r a t i n g the n u m b e r of grains of corn i n the
in
the
province,
and
in the whole country.
not
only
confessed,
that
irresistible
force to m a k e
that
moreover
these
d i d
she
these
fixed
ideas
She
computations,
of
hers
were
be
interrupted
ceeding,
a
or
feeling
physical
tain
by
of
surface
this
other
agony
m a n
globe.
countries
that
i m a g i n a r y
curves,
junctions.
hours
H e
have
traffic.
the
is,
by
of
pro-
suffer
f r o m
indescribable
been told
greater
generously
none,
H e
and
and
a
entire
railroads
very
at
will
elaborate
sheets of paper,
at
his
arrival,
regulates
compiles
cer-
of
the
bestows
connections
moreover,
of a
part
railway-trains on
establishes
H e
w o u l d
of departure
covering enormous
and
she
well
chanced
impossibility
myself
spends
of all the
of the
time-tables,
cause,
I have
w h o
station,
sheer
accompanied
in calculating the
for each
u p o n
any
the
tortures."*
y o u n g
time
b y
an
but
so
organized, that if d u r i n g her laborious task she
to
city,
feel impelled b y
o d d
of
the
draws
various
very intelligent
y o u n g
m a n .
A n o t h e r
f o r m
less questions
patients
call
it
of fixed
u p o n
themselves
"
T h e
moreover
procured
man,
the
of
some
consists
abstract
regard
Griibelsucht"
m a n i a . "
idea
as
the
interrogatory
every
"
insoluble.
E n g l i s h
f o r m
to
p u t
to
himself
indefinite series of questions
problems
of
T h e
G e r m a n s
to
aesthetics.
T h e
* Roncati i n Buccola, work cited.
u p o n
w o r d
it
A
heard
i n
inextricable
the
" t o
most
b e "
has
certain
no sooner
he began,
an
the
" m e t a p h y s i c a l
peculiar
than
end-
w h i c h
i t t h e n a m e o f Fragetrieb.
beautiful " uttered,
effort,
asking
p r o b l e m ,
i n a case r e p o r t e d b y Griesinger,
w o r d
i n
spite
a n d
abstruse
precipi-
M O R B I D
tated
h i m
into
T h i s patient,
confession :
thinking
solve,
S T A T E S
an
a
endless
highly
"
I a m
w h i c h
A T T E N T I O N .
metaphysical
cultivated
ruining
of problems
and
O R
that
m y
despite
m y
investigation.
man,
tells
health
reason
will
most
b y
T h e
is
T h i s
metaphysical
natural.
to
follow the
abandon
natural
myself
continuous
m i n d ,
or
pursues
to
I
very
the
of
i m p u l s i o n that
the
and
not
not
strength.
be
I
try
to
and
not
m e
escape
f r o m
at
tendency
one
to
abstract
keeps h a m m e r i n g
fixed
to
confuse
things
unable
leave
to
myself
to
problems,
unchanged,
does
m y
to persuade
thought,
a m
to
efforts of
ideas return
meditation of
I
be able
continuous
these
seek
his
incessant.
is too
obscure
A n d yet
f r o m
me,
and
course
such
insoluble.
the
reflection
away,
brain w i t h
and
ideas
E v e r y time that
drive t h e m
m y
these
in
incessantly
energetic
respite,
of
us
never
will, wear out, w i t h o u t a moment's
procession
81
m y
that
m o m e n t
of
rest."*
I
shall give a final instance
of the fixed idea,
ported b y T a m b u r n i , on account
tual character
pathic
parents,
:
6 C
of
its p u r e l y
as
intellec-
A y o u n g law-student, the son of
was
completely taken
up
w i t h
neuro-
the
of k n o w i n g t h e o r i g i n , the w h y a n d the h o w of the
circulation of bank-notes.
T h i s
attention
prevented
continually
strained,
d o i n g a n y t h i n g else, p l a c e d
w o r l d
to
and
r i d
plish
himself, and whatever
himself
that
standing
toward
of
it, he
purpose.
was
Finally
the
solution of
efforts he
the
to
p r o f o u n d
problem,
his
f r o m
external
m i g h t
concluding that
this vexed
forced
h i m
utterly unable
his long reflections and
idea
thought kept
a bar between
re-
m a k e
accomnotwith-
researches
he
was
in-
* Griesinger, Op. cit. To understand the true significance of this case, it
is to be observed t h a t the q u e s t i o n here is t h a t o f a m e t a p h y s i c i a n i n spite of
himself.
8
P S Y C H O L O G V
2
capable
a
of
state
any
of
other
discontinue his course
ever
absorbed
case
very
singular
namely,
of
his
that
m i n d
forced
intensity,
made
the
the
at last
image
all
c a m e
d o m i n a n t
their
w i t h
to
varieties
its
assume
b y
reality.
that
Y e t he
the
I n
this
and
his
" T h e
m i n d ,
t h o u g h
rent
notes
of large
denominations,
asunder
value,
so
and
repetitions
and
projection
that
the
himself
h a d
floating
i m a g i n a t i o n . "
that
far
as
to
A
explato
i m -
enveloped
his
regards
persisted
images
continuing to appear
ever
before
finally helped
still
be-
bank-notes
some very clear
veil
their
size,
images
a professor,
condition.
of
bank-
i n
regard
fifty-centime
h i m . "
A t
last
all
inroad
of
disappeared.
Sometimes
that
w h o l e
and
f o r m ,
a force of
his
smaller
of
the
incessant
prove
names
to
was
p e r m a n e n t l y
picture of
merely a freak of
imparted
his troubles
idea.
m u s t
retained
and
careful m e d i c a l treatment,
still
lay awake
p r o b l e m of bank-notes
he
idea,
his eyes were
notes,
desired
tension
in
of
such
H i s sleep
p h e n o m e n o n
full consciousness
to those
he
studies.
b y his
it equivalent to
nations
that
into
i n consequence of the continuous
fore his eyes the
T h e
apathy
fell
n o t e d ;
circulation,
color.
he
be
u p o n
themselves,
work,
and
of
T T F N T I O N .
broken ; frequently he
nights,
a
A
mental
despondency
insufficient and
OF
the
m u s t
fixed
be
idea
consists
i n an
f o u n d again—names
of indifferent
people or u n k n o w n persons ( o n o m a t o m a n i a ) ; — b u t
feeling of intense
a n x i e t y b y w h i c h i t is u s u a l l y
panied,
it b y
relegates
preference
to our
the
accom-
second
cat-
egory.
It
like
will
are
sound
perhaps
simply
m i n d ;
be
said :
insane."
b u t
the
"
These
T h e y
epithet
certainly
insane
T h e y are debilitated, u n b a l a n c e d .
people
is
and
are
their
not
of
undeserved.
T h e i r frail,
unstable
M O R B I D
S T A T E S
OF
A T T E N T I O N .
83
mental coordination yields to the slightest shock; but
it is a loss of e q u i l i b r i u m ,
have
investigated
ideas,
all
namely,
reach
to be
maintain,
it can
have
be
the
same
that
fixed
been
the
b y
A
sions,
diseases,
sad
of
b y
f o r m — t h a t
other
Finally,
A n d so
w h i c h
b y
n o w
concerns
and
as
intellectual operations—is
Q u i t e
w h i c h
s y m p t o m s
oppression,
tors, or the
chic
contrary.
as
sexual
these
of
the
of one
that
and
if to
multiple
the
there
remains
a
pas-
debilitating
same
to
and
w h i c h
appears
organic
m u c h
field
idea
not
a
concom-
neurasthenia:
of
feeling
the
etc.
is b u t
cause.
physician
m o r e
of
s y m p t o m s
neuralgia,
the
result
simplest
manifestations
viz., degeneration,
strong
i n its
indicate
the same
have
even
motility,
fixed
are
life :
the
functions, insomnia,
of
the
of
nevertheless
T h e
headaches,
perturbation
observed,
source,
m o d e
w i t h o u t physical
accompanied
such
many,
refer all
ever,
is
p h e n o m e n o n
a m o n g
to be
it
the
of
they
if confined to the
purely internal phenomenon,
by
us
m a y
organisms.
anaemia,
idea,
wish
T h e others
both roads
the fixed
theoretical
itants.
Persons
and
excesses,
m i g h t
T h e latter
degenerate
circumstances
it,
condition—the
acquired.
legacy
find
m a y
offspring of parents to w h o m
or
etc.*
is reached.
purely
be
fixed
One
or intellectual fatigue, emotions,
sexual
entirely
primordial
that
of
they
w h o
far the most numerous.
exhausted
physical
conclusion ;
everybody
ideas.
for the
T h e s e are
causes
constitution—is requisite.
class are
indebted
T h e authors
of degeneration.
not
inherited, or it m a y
one
a fall.
d e t e r m i n i n g
a s y m p t o m
even
neuropathic
the
not
of
vaso-moT h e
the
Still,
psy-
effect,
it
is
it
suffices
to
to
one
single
psychologist,
h o w -
difficult task.
Be-
* F o r a d e t a i l e d e x p o s i t i o n o f t h e causes conf., p a r t i c u l a r l y , T a m b u r i n i ,
O p . c i t . , p . 27.
84
P S Y C H O L O G Y
OF
A T T E N T I O N .
sides the general cause he should discover the particular
causes
such
and
such
dividual
?
the
f o r m
and
of
of each
W h y ,
a f o r m prevail w i t h such and
calculation i n
bank-notes
secondary
causes
such
such
and
i n
a
one,
still
that
of
here
have
U p o n
the
accomplish
were
course
to begin w i t h
to
cases—the
consider.
pler,
and
certain
start
of
and
it
is
not
w e
should
court
u p o n
purpose,
the
but
greater
that
at
the
present,
of
the
respect
t w o
there
no
a difference of degree.
intensity,
and,
above
t h r o u g h artificial means
and,
particularly,
T h e
metamorphosis
;
the
idea
of
point
to
all,
are
able
into
whole
a
array
w e
to
fixed
of
analysis
to
a
idea,
to
once
idea
it
has
duration.
suppose
strengthen
permanent.
w o u l d
irrational
at-
k i n d
idea
longer
render
of
answer,
fixed
able to
dis-
it.
attention ;
are
this
examine
difference of
T h e
at
H o w e v e r ,
is,
at
if
a t t e m p t
fixed
m a y
is
k n o w n
the m e c h a n i s m
a given state of spontaneous
complete
a
sim-
failure
it differs f r o m
w e
not
possession
idea.
to
it
most
the
a
i n the
here
it resembles
to this proposition
only
T a k e
us
m e c h a n i s m
in w h a t
between
set,
fixed
have
fixed
the
decided
w i t h
certain
be
that
are
the
thus
ourselves
cover i n w h a t respect
and
of fact,
connected
w o u l d
the
worst and
have
for instance,
take
should
we were to a p p l y psychological
sole
more closely
A n d
in-
m a l a d y
purpose
the
find
i n c u m b e n t
O u r
tention
an
are
the
case
w e
matter
intellectual f o r m s of the
work.
that
a
w e
w o u l d
B u t
very outset
the
(as,
erotomaniacs)
f r o m
to
as
given
the
that
of t h e m being
apparatus
a clue.
the
very ones
These,
some
organic
does
another,
supposition
m i g h t
best
i n
W h a t
E a c h
investigation
serious
such
n a m e a
another?
direction ?
separately.
the
for example,
W h y does this exclusive preoccupation
of
studied
case.
then
be
conceptions
M O R B I D
that
f o r m
ance
result
T h e
t e r m
the
the
its retinue
and
of insanity being
mere
of
S T A T F S
of
the
" fixed
complete
everything
reverts.
single
flict w i t h
ness,
the
w h i c h
if s u c h
of necessity
logical
whence
idea,
and
requires
exist,
at
yet
compact,
logical
authors,
differences
orders
remark,
tion
of the
other
wise
to be
in
the
ation
single
con-
conscious-
w i t h
in
in
in a single
loose
and
the
further
consists
as-
direc-
of
little
together
expresses
b y
itself
of
or
fixed
the
the
u p o n
particularly,
insanity,
there
fixed
a
inexorable
always
intermissions
idea,
have
m a d e
w h i c h
degree.
the
w i t h
T h e
in
a
in-
is
T o
a
n o t i n g
mental
the
not
altera-
content
i n the
normal,
dis-
i m p o r -
formal
not of its
is
i n
7
1
;
nature,
but
in
its
reflect u p o n the
origin
usefulness of bank-notes,
i n it-
that
of
this
state
is i n
no
beggar
w h o
believes
m a n
w h o
thinks
himself
formal " perturbation
consists
or of a
"
and
a
necessity
to follow
and
and
is a l t e r a t i o n ,
millionaire,
a w o m a n .
ideas
idea
p e r f e c t l y r a t i o n a l act,
comparable
himself
a
of
held
of ideation, but
intensity,
things,
is a
e <
process
quality
self
are
W e s t p h a l
as
that
words,
quantity,
of
w h i c h
between
designated
tant
the
w h i t h e r
w o u l d
met
idea
frequently
b o n d
p a r t —
m o n o i d e i s m ,
utmost,
times
part
interrogations.
Certain
in
m o r e
of
more,
of states of consciousness
at
a
and
existence
fixed
the
m i n d .
as w i l l b e e x p l a i n e d
of the
that
as
the
only
Absolute
the
it
principal
departs,
change.
is,
tion—associations
the
the
n o t h i n g
m e c h a n i s m
coherency,
of
85
appear-
to
permanence
on.
cessant
all
T h e
f o r m s of ecstasy,
sociations
added
designates
extremest
T h e
fictitious
m e c h a n i s m
conditions of the
there
a
psychological state ; yet
namely,
a
A T T E N T I O N .
present
idea "
centre,
image,
OF
one
that
and
m o m e n t a r y
the
compels
same
changes
the
associ-
path.
Since
of direction
oc-
86
F S 1 X V I O L O G Y
cur,
of
a
these
patients,
intelligence,
OF
w h o
are
A
T T E N T I O N .
gifted
w i t h
and m o r e than ordinary
full consciousness of the absurdity
the
fixed
idea
appears
up
its a b o d e
has
taken
are
unable
take
possession
delirious
T h i s
have
tions,
character
said,
images,
matter
lates,
;
is
to
of their
attention
of their
of the
a
T h e r e
the
and
not
create
of
the
fixed
extreme
to
t h e m
E v e n
of the
the
organic
fixed
b o t h
limited.
last
n o r m a l
between
all
cases
I n attention
l o n g ;
of its p o w e r
of
find
but
permanent,
the
it
is
the
states.
B u c -
highest
between
t h e m
w i t h
:
and
intensity
lasts :
it
i n
has
the
of
the
i m p o r t a n c e — t i m e .
of
association
state
does
spontaneously
struggle
T h e
f o r m
consequence
exceptional
reverts
it-
inhibition."
obtain
i n
m e c h a n i s m
this
its
greatly superior
latter,
m o d e
w i t h
if w e compare
w e
iso-
speech
fluctuation,
predominance
T h e
condition, w h i c h
heterogenous
content-
m i n d .
limit
of
w e
Percep-
of the
at
even
as
; i t is a
attention
consciousness
diffusion.
to
shows
it s i m p l y
is
idea.
is
well
the ordinary
states
f o l l o w i n g is w h a t
conditions,
I n
miscar-
current
disposal of a psychical factor of great
2.
" a
its
idea
of consciousness,
case of the
able
fully inclined to hold,
recapitulate,
I n b o t h cases w e
a state
not
latter,
are
them,
illuminates
is n o b o u n d a r y - l i n e ,
each other,
i.
f o r m
accordingly,
t w o ; and
they
idea
emotions
appearance.
attentive
degree—the
w h i c h
attitude.
the
" t h a t
that
is
T h e
mental
and
does
fixed
and
cola,
it
b o d y
; it remains
establishes a distinction between
am,
and
withal,
self
I
condition :
a foreign
attention.
but
ideas,
strengthens,
merely
yet,
of t h e m
relationship
often
as
degree
idea."
f o r m a l
its close
t h e m
h i g h
culture/possess
in their system
to dislodge;
entire
ried,
to
a
fixed
to
is
not
its
for
existence
idea
prevents
M O R B I D
3.
the
T h e
fixed
ordinary
weakening
T h e r e
is
throw
it.
the
state
his
o w n
S T A T E S
idea
no
that
antagonistic
of agony
idea
m a y
diffused activity
f r o m
I n its
one
group
elements
not
sary,
are
I n the
active,
question
of
there,
is t h e
of
react-
is
to
over-
able
vain.
should
is
state
the
b r a i n ;
oi
position in
their
the
a
be
the
single
be
work.
in them,
other groups
; whence
exaggerated
activity.
equilibrium,
due
the
centres.
cerebral
Esquirol
of the
I t m i g h t
the
will
of
has
to
fixed
tension
is n o t
necesi n
point or
limited
re-
sprinkled
here
and
organ,
and
associated
whatever
they
m a y
are
energy has
do not
also
the
idea
be
of
irritability
not
nervous
as
a
been
c o m m u n i c a t e it
dominance
and
T h e r e is a l a c k o f p h y s i o l o g i c a l
constriction
excess
is
elements
state
c o m p a r e d
the
the
of
p o w e r
of
nutrition
a catalepsy
m o t o r order—contracture.
p r o l o n g e d
an
they
take
nervous
their supreme
probably
called the
telligence.
and
brain
w h i c h
a f e w
B u t
cerebral
fol-
alterations of
I t
of fact isolated ; all disposable
accumulated
entire
their state of
closely joined
the
i n the
another,
state only
m a y
c o m m o n
attending
Discharges
groups.
that
they
be
f r o m
hence
conscious
the
rule.
least,
other
occupy
for
enon
A n d
condition
cells into
at
remarked,
together
and
to
represented
n o r m a l
or,
p r o v i d e d they
matter
of
p o w e r
w h o
the
m o r b i d
transmitted to
let it be
gion
is one
considerable
objective equivalent of the perpetual
consciousness.
a
or
p r o b a b l y be
works :
to
that
patient,
regarded,
manner.
is
state
the
lowing
the
of the
87
impotency.
fixed
place
is,
impossible
of
this
degeneration—a
will,
Physiologically
the
of
E f f o r t is
A T T E N T I O N .
p r e s u p p o s e s — a n d
effects
of the
OF
to
to
of the i n p h e n o m -
Contracture
muscles
the
a
;
nervous
destroy
of
it
is
results
centres
it.
T h e
88
F S 1
fixed
idea
sive
C H O L O G Y
T
has
a
tension,
OF
A
similar cause;
and
the
will
has
T T E N T I O N .
it consists
no
p o w e r
i n an
over
exces-
it.
n.
The fixed idea might be termed the chronic form
of
hypertrophy
form.
I t is n o t
haustively
have
this
treated
attention;
our
of will.
as
between
great
that
analogy
various
to
define
w e
attention
authors
the
have
ecstasy.
"
I t
the
are
of
that
arrested,
M i c h £ a
lition
sensations are
and
vital
defines
i t as
of sensibility
faculty."
plicitly,
A .
the
saying
m i n d .
and the
the
to
to
suspend
As
and
to
as
consider
it
ecstasy
t w o
states
the
of
pitch,
w h i c h
the
provoke
will,
the
being
" a
B £ r a r d ,
so a b s o r b
voluntary
frequently
of
motions
w i t h
m o r e
of degree
fixing
extreme
i n
ex-
sepa-
an
idea
of
will,
tension
is c o n t e m p l a t i o n
although
abo-
locomotive
implies exercise
the
atten-
slackened."
the
of forcibly
state,
so
is," says
contemplation
interrupting
not
at-
difference
action
is
actually e m p l o y e d
suspension
: " A simple
I n ecstasy,
its highest
sense able
deep
C o n t e m p l a t i o n
power
m i n d .
itself
to
W e
aspect,
M a u r y expresses himself even
rates ecstasy f r o m
in
" a
m i n d .
and
suspended,
action
ex-
intellect.
vivid exaltation of certain ideas, w h i c h
tion,
acute
investigate
of
exaltation
the
its
its negative
A t present
of
;
tention
i n
being
to
state
comparison
novel
here
extraordinary
its positive side,
T h e
ecstasy
purpose
it elsewhere,*
annihilation
f r o m
of
the
of
carried
strictest
is n e v e r t h e l e s s
unable
it." f
in the
fixed
idea,
so
between
* " T h e Diseases o f the W i l l , " Chap. V .
t M a u r y , Le Sommeil
et les Reves, p . 235.
the
C h i c a g o , 1894.
n o r m a l
state
M O R B I D
and
ecstasy,
S T A T E S
A
T T E N T I O N .
intermediate degrees are
M e n
e n d o w e d
w i t h
late
themselves
at
accessible
OF
great p o w e r
will
to sensations
of
f r o m
the
and
even
distinguishable.
attention,
external
the
T h e
capture
can
iso-
world.
to pain, they
rarily live i n that particular state w h i c h has
contemplation.
89
I n -
tempo-
been
called
oft-quoted story of Archimedes
true
or not
is certainly p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y true.
T h e
biographies
N e w t o n ,
Gauss,
others,
of Syracuse,
Pascal,
have
tellectual
whether
W a l t e r
furnished
Scott,
numerous
as
of this
clare,
endure
painful operations
s y m p t o m
that
they
of
pain,
had
felt
and
subject,
without
afterwards
by w h i c h
they
had
w o u l d
betray-
w o u l d
nothing, h a v i n g by
ful effort of attention concentrated
some
in-
rapture.
sometimes
any
of
m a n y
" B e f o r e the invention of chloroform, patients
ing
fact,
and
examples
at
a
power-
their thoughts
been
de-
upon
completely
en-
tranced.
" M a n y
serenity,
they
martyrs have
which,
experienced
last.
their
t h e m
b y the
no
any
same
great
tion
physical
attention was
bodily
fanaticism has
B u t
has
proving,
Passing
to
o w n
confession,
difficulty i n m a i n t a i n i n g up to
eyes that
effects.
depend
come
their
perfect
to such
a
the
degree
were presented
tortures
d i d not
to
give
p a i n . " *
passion
further
to
torture w i t h
beatific visions that
enraptured
Political
the
according
T h e i r entranced
absorbed
endured
on
b y
served
that
as
once
and
the
basis of
and
stable
e m o t i o n a l life and
the
than
everywhere
vivid
intermediate
ecstasy proper,
and
m o r e
and
o n
always
some
support;
forms
that
degrees,
psychical manifestations that
of
still
atten-
only.
i n order
neglecting all
* Carpenter, " M e n t a l Physiology," Chap. I I I .
produced
the
to
other
accompany
P S Y C I I O L O G Y
this
extraordinary
single
fact,
idea.
b y
T h i s
ideation ;
thinking
state,
namely,
c o m p a n i e d
a
brain,
is
i n
sorbs everything
its highest
to transform
of
intense
w h i c h
else.
u p o n
it.
a n a r r o w
and
intellectual
gathered
degree
single
Still,
the
of power,
present
t w o
subject
we
were,
of
the
by
around
w h i c h
Nativity,
a
the
i n
the
the
same
as
u p o n
the
regular
those
of
M a r i e
h a n c e m e n t s
grand
series
de
of Voray.
of
images,
and there remains
show
reach
is,
that
the
the
this
state
line,
find
fixed.
the
of
perfect
and
unity
of
w e
need
not
manner
a
need
in the
description,
"
w e
on,
step
d o m i n a n t
the
Passion,
expressed
and
of
I
of ecstasy
pure
shall
recourse
proceed
by
m a y
of
of
at
times
that
w h i c h
whatever.
w h i c h
a very
t o w a r d
even
the
faint
out-
probable
Saint
the
ideas,
m o n o i d e i s m ,
theoretically and
interior"
step,
to
en-
attempt
progression
is b u t
as
the
unity of consciousness,
of
in-
traversed
d o m a i n
absolute
attention
of
category—the
having
consciousness,
Castillo
broad
distinguish
state w i t h o u t any change
have
unable
speeches,
second
F u r t h e r
f o r m
(as
Lateau,
after
reaches
concentrated
eses, n o r
I
the
al-
view-point
w h i c h is
order to trace this ascending
absolute
most
I n
state of complete,
consists in a single
I n
L o u i s e
m i n d ,
higher
and
m o v e m e n t s
Masrl,
mystics—the
region
to
of
ab-
the first class the
all else revolves
etc.),
the
intelligence
accordingly,
W i t h
Virgin,
i n
ecstasy,
ternal event consists of the apparition of some
image,
single
is n e v e r t h e l e s s
F r o m
categories of mystics.
ac-
representation
m i n d
may,
it
exalt
act
ignorant
as
a
a
circumscribed
state
it m a y
h i g h l y - c u l t i v a t e d one.
our
up,
activity
u p o n
and
a
I t cannot
and
exclusively
concentration
t h o u g h i n every individual
to
T T E N T I O N .
consider
extreme
state
life
A
let us
intense
is
all
OF
h y p o t h a
priori.
Theresa
this progressive
a
concen-
M O R B I D
tration
nary
S T A T E S
of consciousness,
state
of diffusion,
passes beyond
the
OF
A T T E N T I O N .
w h i c h
starting f r o m
assumes
latter, and
the
f o r m
in
question
present
matter
h u n d r e d
is
one
moreover,
fession
m a d e
that
at
our
the
well
k n e w
shades of thought.
reader,
not
to
F u r t h e r m o r e ,
to
not
to
sixteenth
and
forget,
century
ideas of
translate
neous
her
the
t i m e ;
creasing
a
w e
T h i s
the
same
shall be
I
her
o w n
T h e r e
w e
have
personal
exists,
says
as
she,
a
castle
beauty and
to
in that
w e
recesses;
and
and
to d w e l l
mystic.
have
not
T h i s castle
to step
stations:
to
contempora-
n o w
attempt,
the
ever in-
are
con-
described
out
T o
reach
w e
enter
a
solitary
incomparable
p u r i t y ;
castle
is w i t h i n
of
built
is t h e
us,
ourselves,
though, nevertheless,
difficult.
seven
language
experience.
d i a m o n d of matchless
of t h e
of
they
the
however,
to point out
noted,
the
of
concentration and incessant n a r r o w i n g of
sciousness that
enter
able,
the
couched,
i n the
shall
the
b y
w o m a n
language
t i m e
con-
request
be led astray
m i n d
task
de-
express
I must
Spanish
her
into the
psychology.
at
here,
analyzes
same
endeavoring
f r o m
that
a
observer
m y s t i c p h r a s e o l o g y i n w h i c h t h e o b s e r v a t i o n is
and
the
than
I t is a
very able
language
to allow himself
in
spiritual power,
and a
to wield
but
observation
fullest confidence.
m i n d ,
rare
illustra-
is b e t t e r
T h e
of the
attention,
T h e
single,
observation
behest
h o w
and
ones.*
of a very delicate
finest
the
g o o d
second-rate
serves,
w o r k
exceptional
ordi-
in a f e w
cases, attains to perfect u n i t y of i n t u i t i o n .
tion
the
of
b y degrees,
91
it, w e
the
of
supreme
w i t h i n our
to
castle
to
s o u l ;
penetrate
the road thereto
have
a i m
pass
t h r o u g h
its
is l o n g
t h r o u g h
the
seven
* I t is h i g r T y p r o b a b l e , t h a t one w o u l d find m o r e o f the same k i n d , by examining the mystic literature of d i f f e r e n t countries.
T h e passages h e r e
q u o t e d are f r o m the " I n t e r i o r C a s t l e , " a n d a f e w f r o m t h e " A u t o b i o g raphy."
P S Y C H O L O G Y
92
degrees
still
" p r a y e r . "
i m m e r s e d
and
or,
of
I
T h e
that
w i t h
prefer
its usual
first
t h r o u g h
to
and
objective
" o r a l
p r a y i n g
preparatory
i n b e w i l d e r i n g varieties
should
still follows
A T T E N T I O N .
I n the
i m a g e s — o c c u p i e d
as
OF
translate
point,
it,
impressions
the
w o r l d " ;
consciousness
W h i c h ,
stage,
is
reached
interpreted,
speech
the
first degree of concentration,
dispersed
consciousness into a single, confined
means,
that
ternal
T h e
s t a g e is t h a t o f
the
inwardness
language
w o r k
ness,
to
terial
is
prevent
support
T h e
" p r a y e r
m e n t )
marks
m u s t
confess,
can
the
third
separated
appreciable
U p
and
A l l
but
intuitive
a
to
or
is
by
a
of
state
not
a
f r o m
I n
f o r m
very
subtle
means,
been activity,
are
the
still
" n o
pe-
shade,
and
movement,
ii\
p l a y ;
longer
discursive
radiation
around
of
enormous
m o v e m e n t
I
second
I n other words,
of
state
I
consciousness.
a
effect
recueille-
this
of the
to
mere
uncertain
this
plurality
the
con-
de
me.
necessary
f r o m
ma-
w o r d s ;
series
W h a t
mystic
m u c h . "
being
of the
audible
the
it.
faculties
to pass
f o r m ,
single
nor
our
love
t o w a r d
transition
will,
the
it becomes
n e s s is a b o u t
but
no longer requires
to this p o i n t there has
however,
longer
to
in-
conscious-
puzzles
it
which
becomes easier :
still h i g h e r
f r o m
only
effort.
m u c h ,
a
channel.
language.
stage.
slightly
the
increases;
o f r e c o l l e c t i o n " (praison
only perceive
riod,
for
satisfied w i t h
u n f o l d i n g before
leading
external
articulate
s c i o u s n e s s is n o w
images
of thought
aberration,
of
words,
" mental prayer,"
substituted
of concentration
means,
in other
produces
T h e second
are
course.
or
articulate
of
life of
n o r m a l
prayer."
aloud,
" t h e
stage we
f o r m
unity.;
think
a
t h o u g h t
to
it tends
fixed
capricious,
of
to
conscious-
intensity.
a
now,
the
no
point,
A n d
this
arbitrary
left
to it-
M O R B I D
self;
it needs
" t o u c h
S T A
the
of divine
operation
T h e
T E S
impulsion
grace,"
of the w h o l e
"
prayer
station ; there
"
OF
of
that
ceives " ; t h i s is a
a
p o w e r f u l
is,
the
soul
state
such,
suddenly
without
the
love,
the
unconscious
" b r i n g s us
no
longer
of high
i n
co-
the
fourth
but
re-
contemplation, not
ex-
its totality,
long,
to
produces,
clusively k n o w n to religious mystics
appearing
93
being.
of quietude
the
A T T E N T I O N .
alone.
I t is
i m p o s i n g
truth
itself
as
slow process of logical
demon-
"
the
stration.
T h e
fifth station,
ginning
of
meeting
w i t h
ing
or
ecstasy ;
the
possession.
but
divine
"
fixity
is u n a b l e
to
to
m a i n t a i n
through
it
attains
" t h e
prayer
; speech
close
;
the
m o t i o n
has
last-
half-opened
first
yet
feeling
confused
i t s highest
of
still
it ;
but
perfumes."
complete,
of agitation,
sound,
hearing
p o i n t "
does
yet
it
it
un-
has
one
f r o m
when
the
not
the
with-
lose
to
seldom
time.
eyes
greatest
remain
all
7ne
to
come
to
M o s t
fre-
experiences
an
although
fail to
grows
the
happened
short
and
degree,
b o d y
does
has
but
not
T h e
cause
one
a
c o m i n g
ceases
"
sixth
suspended,
this
for
the
faculties
it
is p r e s e r v e d ,
outwardly, one
manner
i n
m a y
usually
of
lasted
indefinable sort
some
the
this extraordinary,
senses a n d
deprived
and
quently,
to act
in
be-
"
d e v i a t i o n s ; as
ecstasy
(consciousness),
entirely
pass,
and
as
of rapture."
A l t h o u g h
feeling
at
to
slightest
T h e
out.
this
itself
not
is
without
but
only shed their
is
I t
but
have
a n d r e s p i r a t i o n are
efforts.
be
unstable.
flowers
oscillations
is
state.
Finally
cold
is
of consciousness
is still l i a b l e
natural
it
of u n i o n , "
betrothed,"
T h e
their calyxes, they have
T h e
prayer
hear.
afar.
one
ceases
I t is
Still,
entrancement
like
even
is
P S ) X H O L OGY
W h a t ,
reached
then,
b y
beyond
the
"
force that
onset."
stance of
very
G o d
the
distinction
opinion,
of the
viz.\
deprived
of
n o w
and
might
its
reference
I t has
to
and
same
other
author.
" g r e a t
I t
is
r a p t u r e s "
tirely without
remarkable,
the
form,
as
D i v i n i t y
a
at least, a p p e a r s t o be
" A n d
so
I say,
diamond,
is,
the
supremely
w o r l d . " *
simple
that
I n
this
the
I
can
the
expression
of
in
m y
the
its
ex-
t w o passages
above
to
m e
to be
m a n n e r
entirely
of
hearing
its highest
p o i n t . "
this
that
effect f r o m
i n
one
to
the
of
her
her
en-
abstraction.
is l i k e
a
transparent
m u c h larger than
discern
a
T h i s
gist of her o w n words :
and
rhetorical comparison,
indeed,
will
appeared
D i v i n i t y
l i m p i d ,
it.
b y
perfectly e m p t y
Such,
sub-
well-
is at
to
the
appear
" t h i s
passages
impet-
degree,
is a t t a i n e d
happened
such
is not,
highest
the
accom-
the
w i t h
is
there
w i t h
into
of ecstasy,
A t
that
is
resist
one
interpretation
f e e l i n g " ,
cite
to
descended
ceases w h e n the entrancement
W e
T h i s
but
becomes
reason.
"
station
W h a t is
violently
has
T h i s
upon
last
G o d .
of consciousness
unity.
italicized,
w i t h
t w o degrees
without
grounded,
and
strive in vain
soul,
abolition
cess of
and
w e should
T T E N T I O N .
of the spirit " ?
U n i o n
suddenly
A
seventh
flight
ecstasy ?
plished
uous
"
is the
OF
nothing
literary
complete
the
else t h a n
metaphor.
unity
of
a
I t
intui-
tion.
T h i s
us,
as
step,
solute
a
we
piece
of
have
psychological evidence
seen,
to
follow
has
consciousness,
enabled
step
to its f u r t h e r m o s t degree of c o n c e n t r a t i o n ,
monoideism.
I t enables
question, frequently raised,
us,
yet w h i c h
retically been
settled ; namely,
consciousness
subsist
* A u t o b i o g r a p h y , p . 526b
?
T h e
moreover,
C a n
has
to
to
ab-
answer
only
a state of
by
theo-
u n i f o r m
testimony of certain
mys-
M O R B I D
S T A T E S
tics apparently
justifies
T o
is
be
sure,
it
consciousness
has
been
sentire
admitted
tional
very
et
has
been
intensity,
but
it
only in
differs
T h e
it
greatest
stronger
every
each
the
degree
I n ordinary
f r o m
regarded
the
himself
obtained
six years.*
O n l y
strong
not
long endure—they
w h i c h
they
explain
unworthiness
a
finite
of
such
mortal
and
o w n
tions
the
of
existence,
supports
cannot
is p l a c e d
long
and
bear
then
falls back
little
donkey
and
and
agents
the
of
to earth again,
the
age
as
and
of
his
* Porphyrius, " L i f e of P l o t i n u s , " Chap. X I I .
sixtycan-
instability,
due
to
their
impossibility
in
reality
prodigious
again
life
point,
elements
strain.
of
Porphyrius,
this
is
i n his
T h e
condi-
that
are
activity
individual
becomes
mortal
ex-
causes.
its necessary
this
away
all, i n
attained
physiological
nervous
intense
browsing
to
the
infinite,
w i t h o u t
the
still
conscious-
rarely
w a y
plainable f r o m psychological and
Consciousness
at
B u t
beatitude
becoming
a
T h e y
at this e x t r e m e
their
f o r m :
by
four times
declare.
in
and
attention.
unity of
once,
Consciousness,
con-
w i t h o u t knowledge
supreme
it but
d u r i n g
ecstasy
attained,
perfect
of ecstasy.
excep-
discursive
very
and
B u t
and
monoideism.
i n all times,
as
the
it
" I d e m
of constriction
alone have
absolute
evGOGis,
instances
preserves
least
case of a f e w
m a x i m u m
that
recidunt."
Plotinus obtain this favor, according
w h o
of
still
have
consummation
did
its
at
of H o b b e s :
idem
rare
time.
to
effort, to
other,
ness,
very
mystics
country,
ad
truism,
change;
time
95
affirmative.
c o m m o n
infringed in the
attains
i n the
through
sentire,
spaces of
sciousness
and
since the
non
A T T E N T I O N .
answer
settled
individuals, i n
short
an
only exists
semper,
this law
a
OF
" t h e
existence."
96
P S Y C H O L O G Y
OF
A
T T E N T I O N .
in.
The debilitation of attention is extreme in mania,
which,
nent
as
is k n o w n ,
over-excitation of the
is n o t
internal only ;
ferred outwards,
A
consists
constant
speak,
and
of
a
general
psychic
i t is also
life.
being
to shout,
and
T h e
perma-
diffusion
incessantly
is b e i n g e x p e n d e d
a g i t a t i o n is m a n i f e s t e d ,
and
at each
transinstant.
a continual need
to act violently.
T h e
state of
sciousness is i m m e d i a t e l y p r o j e c t e d o u t w a r d s .
niacs/
7
erable
says Griesinger,
length
muscular
vidual
to
to
not be
fury,
o f t e n able,
keep
w h i c h
the
up
and
only
muscular expenditure
consid-
expenditure
of
a
sane
spend
a
prey
explanation of this
t h r o u g h
an anomalous condition of the sensibility of the
muscles
A t
the
follow
same
each
are
time,
other
they scarcely
sciousness,
destitute
with
so
such
that
" I t
in the
condition
w h i c h
ideas
recapitulate,
succeed
we
a disordered
motory
order,
a
impetuous
W e
need
not
flux
of fatigue."
ideas,
astonishing
of
of one
find
flow
of the
one
here,
of
of
images
of words,
of
these
shouts,
spec-
maniacs,
rapidity
in the
mental
and
con-
associa-
to the
extreme
the
that
complete
another
i n
feelings
rapidity
undiscoverable
very words
things,
and
images,
is r e a l l y f r i g h t f u l t o t h i n k
w i t h
T o
O r
feeling
frequently the b o n d
t i o n u n i t i n g t h e m is t o t a l l y
tator.
the
sensations,
attain to the
and
of
be,
enor-
thd*t
these patients
to
of
indi-
seen to
w i t h o u t sleep,
seems
con-
" M a -
for a
T h e y are
almost,
the
an
strength
adequate.
or whole months
violent
mous
time,
force to
w o u l d
weeks,
of
" a r e
to
m i n d . "
order
ideas ;
i n
of
the
gesticulations,
movements.
further pursue
this subject
and
that i n m a n i a all c o n d i t i o n s that are c o n t r a r y to the
show
state
M O R B I D
of
attention are
adaptation
t r i u m p h
to
last
of
they
to
instance
of
to
recite
chaos
to bear
l o n g as
u p o n
event
find
no
left
long
let
the
us
m i n d
arrest
his
attention,
and
has
H e r e
the
struggle,
little
general
head
group
as
first
again
state,
stage.
against
is its o w n .
affected
of
w e
reason
an
attention
E x a m p l e s
in
the
semi-morbid
our
melancholy,
mental
of
fatigue.
are
mechanism
fix
the
cannot
also
but
confirm
the
the
of attention
it
is
V o l . I I , p . 47.
normal
is
impossible,
attention ;
predominate,
Mentales,
states
investigation of
statement—implies,
* E s q u i r o l , Maladies
f o u n d in
approach
Vitus's dance
I n exhaustion
difficult to
state
or
not
automa-
are
the
a
can-
it has
an excessive
physical
St.
include
attention.
took
a f o r m e r
lectual
w i t h
m o r b i d or
tially motory.
peat
all
spontaneous
H e r e
of i n t o x i c a t i o n , at
extreme
viz., that
tremely
or
have
we
of states, i n w h i c h
i n mania,
in
capable
position
and
his
w e
of exhaustion
a very weak
stages
and
These
some
sufficient power
hysterical persons, in persons afflicted with
Children
can
depends.
pass beyond
sleep,
for-
state
bring
teaches us u p o n w h a t causes
numerous
the
entirely
of a maniac,
h i m rational,
the impression
tism ; its weakness
in
the
poems,
particular
" B u t
attention."*
that
U n d e r
not
to
time.
y o u will
his
attention
all control.
able
intellectual
as
retain
very
are
unforeseen
last
automatism,
is
before.
a sudden
will
I t
exaltation
length
some
all possible.
nor
t h e r e prevails at t i m e s an e x t r e m e
p o w e r f u l action
let
concentration
maniacs,
this
any
at
97
W i t h
years
In
are
f r o m
A T T E N T I O N .
Neither
of cerebral
free
m e m o r y ;
gotten
duration
supreme
itself, a n d
OF
combined.
nor
moreover,
of
S T A T E S
and
essenor
ex-
t h i s — t o
re-
that
here
an
nor
last,
nor
intelpro-
c>S
P S Y C H O L O G Y
OP
A
T T P i Y T I O X .
duce an adequate adaptation. This cerebral exhaustion,
which
tion,
manifests
a
results
f r o m
itself
some
of
and
motor
which,
of
limbs,
etc.,
are
elements,
as
their
b o d y ;
effect is
or idea
to
that
all
take
over
presents
of
the
that
This,
the
most
if
the
i n
the
m o v e m e n t s
" attention,
of
the
less
the
the
exhaustion
at
attention,
case
of
this advantage,
can
be
of
f r o m
automatic
the
to
c o m p l e x
the
in the
delicate
m o v e m e n t s
the
w h i c h
fingers,
able
body
even
reels
to
; still
his
only
w i t h o u t
the
simplest
w h i c h
here the
more-
to the end.
I t is
dissolution follows
to
their
he
be
dissolution
the
of
that
simple,
f r o m
T h i s
the
the
l a w
A t first our
is
m o s t
m o v e m e n t s
the
m o v e m e n t s
precision ; later,
constitute
falls to the
a
destruction
the
w a l k i n g :
later the intoxicated person
seat,
or
and
g r o w embarrassed,
lose
case it
absent
unsettled, the
movements,
keep
image,
feeble
automatic.
become
state
can
of intoxication.
w h i c h
semi-automatic
the
case
more
as
there
all, and
that
that
to
occurs.
followed
law,
but
and,
the
here
intoxication,
c o m m o n p l a c e
verified
of
m o t o r
n o r m a l
conditions are
i n
biological
of utterance,
the
i m p a r t
a support,
inverse order of evolution ; that its w o r k
proceeds
move-
head,
that
sensation,
i n fact, is w h a t
movements
well-known
insufficiency
attention,
finally,
these
attempts
and
an
action of resilience : i n such
produced
us
of
strengthen
and
L e t
circulation,
a delimitation,
and
defective,
duration.
if
" accompany
parts,
t h r o u g h an
is clear,
N o w ,
by
w i t h o u t
w e m a i n t a i n , are not concomitants,
integral
a
by
nutri-
first place,
weak and without vigor j if these
intellectual state
were,
of
intensity and
place
influx.
respiration, of
phenomena,
it
without
second
as i t is t e r m e d ,
ments
the
in the
nervous
or other
in t w o ways : in the
state of consciousness
duration,
defect
is
u n -
g r o u n d \
fin-
M O R B I D
S T A T E S
ally follows the
of
i n extreme
movements.
the
A T T E N T I O N .
total loss of reflex motions,
" d e a d " - d r u n k ;
ratory
OF
W e
dissolution
of
cases,
loss
even
shall disregard
movements,
the
m a n
of
phases
are
purely
p h y s i o l o g i c a l ; a n d r e v e r t i n g to the b e g i n n i n g , let us
what
takes
d r i n k i n g
place
produced
T h e
of
men,
T h e
in some
abandon
the
d i c t u m ,
vino
exaltation,
indistinctly
tom-like.
T h e
movements,
but
t w o
w h i c h
all,
of
v e r y reverse of the
state
power
of
inhibition
totally to the
Veritas"
; the
little
accordingly,
go
what
at
little,
outlines,
attention
hand
by
states it assumes
w i t h o u t clear
of
weakens ;
verification of
T h e n ,
debilitation
of
above
after
is the
about,
aspects
man
then
consciousness becomes obscured
float
and
see
is
themselves
" I n
Is a
of attention,
state
concentration.
m e n
consciousness.
really capable
reflection?
of
i n
is
respi-
the last
w h i c h
99
in
and
hand
b o t t o m
;
phanthat
they
is r e a l l y a
of
are
single
phenomenon.
H o w e v e r ,
do
not
w i s h
accordingly,
state
healthy
w o r k
in the
w o r k
not
fact
incapable
f r o m
energy
to
is
the
into
of
of
whose
attention,
the
shall,
I f
the
we
are
attention.
effort,
and
strength
effort, or
result
we
work.
of n o t h i n g ;
it
energy—the change of
stored,
actual,
i n
the
kinetic,
energy.
nervous
actions
w o u l d
only be
is
trans-
effect of chemical
accordingly,
attention,
attention,
m a n
and
reader.
source
;
the
itself
Such,
the
skies ; it can
energy
it.
to
the
not
potential
the
stored
of
question
of episode,
prevents
sense ; the
formation of pre-existing
potential,
w a y
is c a p a b l e
p e r f o r m e d
fall
by
another
point it out
this
m a n
is
it
arises
exhaustion
widest
debilitated,
does
merely
t h r o u g h
T h e
n o w
to treat
of nervous
brought
B u t
there
be
T h i s
substance,
is
taking place
within
the
condi-
ultimate
IOO
P S Y C H O L O G Y
tion
of
attention.
myself
also
a
is t h e
k i n d
faculty,
d u r i n g sleep
to
monoideism,
not
It
and
occurs
that
finally,
panied
by
anger,
love,
find
taneous
are
artificial,
first
tions
the
a
question
F r o m
presented.
of
relative
attention,
the
or
an
is
or
image
series of states of
flit
t h r o u g h
A n
the
is
and
conscious-
of
feeling even
of
inhibition
adaptation,
t e m p o r a r i l y so
state is always
affection or
e t c . ) — w i t h
essential
be-
m i n d i n rapid
instant
partially
strong
the
equivalent
attention
place,
result
characteristics
;
accom-
e m o t i o n
the
elements
discoverable
w e
class of cases that
c i t e as
implicit
power,
state
sensation
p r e d o m i n a n t
the
the
have
dream-activity.
i n the
curiosity,
all
a
of
(fear,
that
of
w e
spon-
attention.
B u t
the
whether
least
some
therein
w h o
the
is
sleep
f a c u l t y is s u s p e n d e d .
often a
have
this
f r o m
themselves
succession.
adjustment—at
and
start
denominate
during
; we
confine
perhaps
authors
attention
to
that
d u r i n g dreams
disorderly
then
put
we
predominant
ness that
f e w
and
t h e p r o b l e m is d i f f e r e n t l y
w h i c h
is c e r t a i n ,
comes
T h e
inquire
constituted
shall
accepted,
of exhaustion,
that
they have
proceed
I
generally
d u r i n g sleep,
point of view,
W e
theory
hypothesis,
and
whether
of
the
attention
present,
observation.*
intoxication.
explicit
our
to
A T T E N T I O N .
the
consequence
of
studied
or
F o r
to this simple
A c c o r d i n g
OP
have
to
affirmative instances.
of
problems,
mechanical
been revealed
Franklin,
scientific
inventions,
i n dreams.
Burdach,
* See C o n c l u s i o n , § z.
in
discard
naturally we
clever
S u c h
voluntary,
of
state ?
I n
that
entirely a
w o u l d
cases are
combinations,
Condorcet,
and
certain
feel t e m p t e d
discoveries,
Tartini,
Coleridge,
of
m a n y
the
solu-
artistic
that
to
or
have
Voltaire,
others,
have
M O R B I D
reported
mere
S T A T E S
personal
reference
p h e n o m e n a
the
species
of activity
untary
attention.
invent,
and
find
habits
and
their
poem,
but
Tartini
a
he
w o r k
the
not
first
maintain
deavor
also
attention
have
our
;
f r o m
w h i c h
is
is
the
error.*
and
B u t
suspension
forms,
it w o u l d
of
not
most
yet
state
an
unpleasant
that
long
of
ma-
dreams
is
formation
of
find
rapidity
other
disap-
coordination.
complex
the
forms
will-power
is
w e
to
strive
pleases us,
or
situation.
en-
Cases
an o u t l i n e at least of v o l u n t a r y
enough
w i t h
A t times,
and
w e
endeavor
to
to
discover
exceptions.
in
one
of
the
I f sleep
its m o s t
fulfill its office of
w h o
m a k e
A t times,
inexactitude of w h i c h
h a r d
effort
those
the absurdity of
contradictions.
the
are
the
sometimes
natural
try
we
all
a
their
these
and
for
revolting,
w e
the
cerebral).
h a n d
A n d
habit.
computations,
evolve
purely
the
of
;
conscious,
to
i m p a i r m e n t
a
times
be
o n
i n
are
during
;
with
problems
m i n d
one
delicate,
to ourselves
tifying,
can
the
present
contracted
m a k e
the
that
dreams
clear
as
vol-
composes
its u l t i m a t e state
of the
suspended,
to escape
at
a
discover,
does not
is,
of associations
most
he
results
(that
attains
condition
ourselves
occur
These
to disappear.
always
but
incubation,
or extreme
highest,
are
sonata,
attention : on
pearance
T h e
algebraical
his
to
accordance
not
sudden
incoherence
only
Coleridge
solve
A l l these
antagonistic
strict
that
automatism,
people
i n
101
k n o w n
of m i n d .
unfavorable
voluntary
of cerebral
dreams,
unconscious
T h e
as
a n d
does
all of a
turity.
thus
cast
well
sufficient.
is d i r e c t l y
solutions,
antecedent
oftener
w h i c h
I n
so
here
product
c o m b i n a t i o n .
of
but
is
that
completes
financial
A T T E N T I O N .
observations
thereto
are
OF
is
of
not
laborious
reparation.
* See s e v e r a l instances i n S u l l y , " I l l u s i o n s , ' C h a p . V I I .
mor-
causes
were
w e
i o2
T S Y C I I O L O G Y
OF
. I 7 ' T E N T I O N
As regards natural somnambulism, and still more
so
as
regards
having
h y p n o t i s m ,
been
divest
cleared
provoked
marvelous
whole
in
w h i c h
"
a
York).
activity
region
thus
: a
of the
brain,
chandelier
the
jets
the
loss
all are
w i t h
are
guishment,
of
guished
w i t h
brightly
b u r n i n g
hypnosis
an
exception
and
hardly
Czermak,
abnormal
that
and
been
seems
by
B e a r d
takes
it
a
the
a
all
to
possibly
of attention
proper
?
Does
it not
* C o n f . Stanley H a l l i n Mind,
resemble
extin-
?
extin-
have
" c o n -
m u c h
crit-
C o u l d
K i r c h -
attributed
I t is
really comparable
rather
w h e n
w e
crabs by
be
all
still
T h i s theory of
and
his
one,
gas,
the h y p n o t i z e d i n d i v i d u a l is w e l l
by suggestion,
to
been
single
subjected
and
resembles
for the state of m o n o i d e i s m ; b u t is t h i s state,
produced
limited
point of
the
be
W h e n
all have
in chickens
concentration
to
inactive
brain
(of
system,
a p p l i c a b l e to all cases.
Preyer,
slight
A c c o r d i n g
to
of
c o n s u m i n g
attention " has
and
indeed,
almost
concen-
w a k i n g state ;
sleep ; w h e n
h y p n o t i s m as p r o d u c e d
ner,
the
the
the
only
gas-burners.
have
low,
"
w i t h i n
of the
i n its different stages.
centrated
icism*
the
cortex
to
of
nervous
volition."
we
have
the
first
Carpenter,
r e m a i n i n g
numerous
d o w n
we
rest
the
lighted,
turned
especially
of
a
by
psychologist
f r o m
reduced
w i t h
is c o n c e n t r a t e d
favorite comparison,
a
and
the
to
w h i c h
far
vesture
enveloped,
perturbation
producing
the
maintained
last
of w h i c h
was
p h e n o m e n o n
been
T h e
is s t i l l
w h o
of
view,
Schneider,
functional
the
was
of this
has
Heidenhain,
Braid,
it
of attention "
modifications
N e w
up.
question
s o m n a m b u l i s m
psychology
tration
the
A p r i l , 1885, a n d G u r n e y , Ibid.,
certain,
prepared
artificially
to
the
to
attention
fixed
idea
O c t . , 1884.
?
M O R B I D
S T A T E S
OF
A T T E N T I O N .
103
IV.
Idiocy has various degrees, from complete nullity
of
intelligence to
to the
point
at
simple
w h i c h
place.
S o m e
for
mechanical
the
arithmetic,
weak-mindedness,
arrest
of development
imbeciles even
w h i c h
arts,
have
for
been
H e r e
are
the
T h e
defective
and
the
bring
t h e m
to be
—paralysis,
of
peats
the
chant,
beating
end
there
restricted
the
beciles
T h e
the
piece
of
attention
flashes.
impressions,
condition
t h e m
of
motor
deserves
anomalies
epilepsy ;
w h i c h
as
idiots,"
says
Esquirol,
of a
and
successful
maniacs,
w i t h
w i t h
not
long
patients
get
the
enough
"
renders
etc.
I m -
6 6
bereft of
the
incapable
of
the
subject
W i s h i n g to obtain
plaster-
insane
even
imbeciles
the
with-
I n all this
t h e m
individuals,
the
affected w i t h
for
re-
sway-
shutting
are
a
m o n o t o n o u s
repeatedly been
of
or
incessantly
continually
furniture,
and
the
presenting
opening
of
n u m b e r
closed
animals.
to elaborate
such
m y personal observation.
could
of
dull
a c c o m p a n i m e n t
casts of a large
I
facul-
p o w e r of coordination or of control.
and
and
These isolated
contractures,
walls,
or
being
factor o f attention, also
education,—a fact that has
them,
music,
its
only
unfit
faculty of attention, w h i c h
of
for
by intermittent
automatism,
the
same
is n o
are
movements,
to
talent
instincts
I t is c o n t i n u a l l y
same
particular
conditions
deliver
convulsions,
b o d y
the
appear
senses
essential
noticed.
ing the
only
together.
that
k i n d
to
elementary
higher centres
faculty,
out
c o m p a r e d
or
taken
is a l l t h e m o r e salient f r o m
most
lacking,
a
has
drawing,
surrounded b y complete vacuity.
ties have
according
to
plaster
most
I
was
furious
melancholy ;
keep
their
to take
of
but
eyes
form,
no
104
P S Y C H O L O G Y
OF
A T T E N T I O N .
matter
h o w
had
been
tion
willing
performed.
the
I
have
cast c o u l d not
edly
had
endeavor
been
able
t w o
to
their
that
do
not
animals
life.
T h e
degree,
have,
had
any
same
fully
to
amount
different systems
tempt
to
T h e y
begin
certain
arouse
m o d e r n
certain
in
into
a
given
w o r d
hole,
w i t h
to
the
attention
plugs
be
of
to
; I w o u l d
generally
resent
say
half
U n i t e d
idiots,
repeat
an
or
* E s q u i r o l , Maladies
Mentales,
t Seguin, Traite de V education
Idiocy."
efforts
have
the
more
the
use-
several
u n i f o r m l y
at-
regulative
attention.
i n
T h u s ,
in
order
to
taught
to
to
put
associate
a
*
an
attitude
a f o r m a l state, if this t e r m
line,
others
etc.f
recapitulate—is
misemployed.
straight
been
are
air,
slight
whether
that
of
favorable
acts.
they
i m -
century
States,
Graphically, w e
the totality of its n o r m a l a n d
tions b y a
a
or
simple
a
and
predominant,
*
m i n d
to
great
education
certain figures,
A t t e n t i o n — t o
the
observed
or
attention
some
have
one
preservation
are,
society,
un-
and
create a species of
extremely
asylums
the
to
words,
w i t h
for
m i g h t not
is
of
since
they
were
than
Seguin
whether
construct
states, i n other
the
inquiring
it
they
specimens
i n view
w h i c h
spontaneous
to
repeat-
of idiots
obtained
of labor
expended,
grades
education.
whatever
;
because
and
more
training,
this end
value
vain
opera-
cry
taken,
for
a view
refractory
W i t h o u t
w i t h
closed
enjoy w i t h
patient
results.
in
lowest
t h e m
the
position i n
possess the
amenable
b y
m a d e
T h e
less
seen
the
always
eyes
even
to have
successfully
but
minutes. " *
beciles
be
even
maintain
placed,
to keep
they
dividing
at
m o r b i d
its t w o
of
were
m i g h t
the
not
rep-
manifestaextremities
V o l . I , p. n .
des idiots, P a r i s , 1846 ; I r e l a n d ,
11
Mental
C O N C L
into
t w o branches.
A t the
spontaneous
attention.
to the
i n
we
right,
find
pation,
then
branches
extreme
w e
i n
the
to
w e a k
t w o
our
the
fixed
direction
of
;
habit,
vacillating,
branches
temporary
B e t w e e n
i n
its
and
finally
corresponding
failure and
each
shades w h i c h
f o r m
I
utter
and
o m i t
m o n
of all
the
to
the
t w o
and
of
an
form,
division
extremes
of
ones,
but
the
H e r e
f o r m
there
w e
of
attention.
are
occur
able
to c o m p r e h e n d
these states
to
ordinary
impossibility
of representation
t w o
ecstasy.
turn
the
come
notice ;
the
intensity.
i n
its adjacent
to
thereupon
n o w
general
to
this manner
origin
first
w e
pre-occu-
idea and
decreasing
then
then
represent
w e
line
attention,
line
fixed
point,
ordinary
imaginary
the
to
at
put
increasing
idea
directions
starting
our
attention,
voluntary attention,
organized
into
direction of
105
let us
F o l l o w i n g
degrees—the confirmed
have
then
centre,
spontaneous
in the
Reverting
left,
the
strong
U S I O N .
by
the
c o m -
of
com-
their unity
position.
CONCLUSION.
1.
WE have endeavored to establish, in the present
work,
the
thesis,
condition
is,
its
faculty,
state,
m e c h a n i s m
a
not
and
necessary
interest—that
is
rrlotory.
that,
Attention
is
or
f r o m
longer
the
here
c o m p l e x
adaptation.
part
revert
sustained
to
the
causes
W e
by
induce
dwelt
movements
subject;
but
a
intellectual
that
have
fur-
not
special power, but a predominant
ciently u p o n
need
i m m e d i a t e
artifical emotional states—and
resulting
shorter
the
o f a t t e n t i o n i n a l l its f o r m s is
natural or
ther,
that
it will
a
suffi-
and
be
we
to
106
P S Y C I I O L O G Y
OF
A
T T E N T I O N .
advantage to make a short study of the emotional
states that
point
w e
their
a w a k e n
have
do
not
incidentally
and
simple
states,
our
once
I n
the
w a y
i t in
to
the
to
present
propose
comprises
thesis,
i n this
that
first
place
w e
opinion w h i c h
pain
are
signs,
inclinations,
and
thwarted.
of
w h i c h
discard
takes
the
the
true
T h e
are
activity.
the
that
primal
the
only
emoPleas-
results,
appetites,
satisfied
part
hands
comes
f r o m
comes
f r o m
of the
or
and
the
external
life
as
deepest
re-
and
organic,
the
;
pasvege-
heart,
the
respiratory,
the
viscera,
senses,
precedes
constitutes
as
every-
constitutes
just
a n i m a l
as,
life,
psychologically, emotional
intellectual life, w h i c h
designated
be
of intelligence : and
vegetative
rests u p o n i t , so also
the
not
must
emotions,
f r o m
enters
clock,
of sensibility ; just
the
subject-matter
that
emotional life
digestive,
subject-matter
life precedes
states
our
pain.
either
Feelings,
in a word,
physiologically,
w h i c h
be
generally
certain
innermost
W h a t e v e r
vessels,
sexual organs,
the
the
lower d o w n — i n the
p r i m a l
will
effects,
have their primordial source i n the
various
thing
are
causes of
cesses of the o r g a n i s m .
the
that
p h e n o m e n o n — t h e
its w o r k s .
tative
emo-
T h e y represent merely the superficial, final
T h e y
sions
the
elements.
basis of
than
show
tendencies
consciousness.
sought
u p o n
manner,
must
n o t h i n g m o r e
indications,
part
f r o m
m o t o r
n e w
reader,
a psychology of
depends
radice
of
nature.
to the
to show,
always
this
statement
tional life to be constituted of pleasure a n d
and
to
justified.
accredited
ure
U p
n o t h i n g of their
of digression,
attention
principal
more
said
here,
merely
fact that
tional
A n d
I
by
attention.
ourselves
have
intend,
feelings.
sustain
limited
functions, and
W e
the
and
needs,
rests u p o n
appetites,
it.
T h e
inclinations,
C O N C L
tendencies,
and
desires,
U S I O N .
are
the
direct and
results of every a n i m a l organization.
the
true
say:
basis of emotional
" A p p e t i t e
Desire
F r o m
is a p p e t i t e
appetite,
it f r o m
bottom,
pain
a
a person
toward
cannot
to
deems
a
pleasure
seek
animal,
or
is
sibility
pain,"
will,
as
" t h e
good ;
appetite,
of
self.
a
on
its
to seek or
faculty
that
tends
or
that
w e
O n l y
the
is, o f m e m o r y
and
know.
states already
do
these
not
sakes,
experienced.
accordingly, w h o
regard
A t
sake,
avoid, for their o w n
characteristics,
of e m o t i o n a l life.
con-
desire."
o w n
of experiencing
w h o consequently
person
he
a v o i d e d ; f o r i t is clear,
not
voli-
the
because
and
for
define
sen-
pleasure
t w o
and
p h e n o m e n a
descend
to the
true
T o give a definition that
con-
templates the cause and not the effects, w e o u g h t to
" I t
is t h e
faculty
periencing
cravings,
desiring, and
pleasure
and
appetites,
forth designate
selves
of
p a i n . " *
consequently
A n d
s i m p l y
expression
of
its
further,
" t e n d e n c i e s " )
effects of organization : they
p e r m a n e n t
or
say,
of
desires (for brevity w e shall
t h e m
w e
man.
but,
g o o d
sought
psychologists,
essential
origin
be
and disagreeable
m a n y
Spinoza
is n o t t h e f a c t t h a t
thing
not
constitute
f o u n d a t i o n of effort,
of experience,
reflection, is able
W i t h
essence of
avoid w h a t w e do
capable
agreeable
the
thing
effort,
T h e y
consciousness
desire,
for its o w n sake
T h e
v e r y
w i t h
and
a d j u d g e d
trary,
as
the
this it results, that
tion,
has
is
life.
i m m e d i a t e
are the
ex-
these
hence-
are
t h e m -
i m m e d i a t e
transitory
modes
of
being.
It
w o u l d
arguments
pain
u p o n
depend
the
be
to
useless
to adduce
establish
u p o n
organism.
the
fact
tendencies,
T o
a
proceed
mass
that
w h i c h
of data
pleasure
in turn
rapidly
and
* I n c i d e n t a l l y I use t h e i r t e r m i n o l o g y , yet w i t h o u t a c c e p t i n g i t .
and
and
depend
convin-
roS
P S Y C H O L O G Y
cingly,
it will
suffice to
pathology
of
agreeable
and
encies do.
tions
find
and
lows
body.
the
Let
us
k n o w s
pleasure,
of the
"
strange
w h i c h
eat
and
disorderly
and
of
m e t
found
necessary,
and
"
contents
ance
of the
i n respect
subjects
it necessary
instances
tend-
abound.
for imitation,
* C a m p b e l l , i n Journal
and
and
the
soot,
beginning
eccentric
have
been
taste
are
h i m f r o m
of smell.
find
the
smell
of
E v e n
after
for willful
of Mental
sexual
was
a
perverCertain
disagree-
asafoetida.
u p o n
the
devia-
instincts ?
H e r e
m a k i n g
debauchery,
Science,
for
swallow-
roses
of valerian or
i n -
w a t c h
same
sense
and
f o u n d
I t
of a hospital, to
the
of the
T h e
hysterical,
T h e
T h e
of
afflicted
" s c a t o p h a g y . "
length
there
etc.
of
at
con-
f o r m
T h e
lower
spittoons.*
to dwell
w i t h
secretory
in
an
Still
fol-
E v e r y b o d y
pronounced
to prevent
odor
perversions
shadow
i n certain
by
abversa.
A s the
T h e r e
a
w i t h
first m o n t h s ,
subjects.
w a r d
ing
and
w i t h
w o r m s .
patient, i n order
tions
the
connected
tobacco,
had
i n the
relish the
the
tastes.
m a r k e d
w h o
certain
neuropathic
the
course.
" c o p r o p h a g y
occurs
i n
straw,
are
people
as
of pregnancy.
neuropathic
toads,
but
see
vice
nutrition.
depraved
clay,
cases
the
the
as
m a n
reveal themselves
alimentary
of
spiders,
Is
exactly
circulatory,
i n s a n i t y is s o m e t i m e s
stances
into
shall
a b n o r m a l
of
nutrition
tendencies
chlorotic,
able,
vary
tendencies
cravings "
appetites
persons will
the
digestive,
perturbations,
sion
W e
tendency,
function
of poor
produced
same
the
pain follow
begin w i t h
sequence
of
disagreeable
f u n d a m e n t a l
are
states.
inclinations will encounter pain, and
Pleasure
the
m a k e a brief excursion
emotional
the
A T T E N T I O N .
W h e r e the n o r m a l m a n w i t h n o r m a l inclina-
will
n o r m a l
the
OF
J u l y , i88$.
ample
and
allow-
for
that
C O N C L
w h i c h
tion)
comes
than
abundant
serts
the
f r o m
f r o m
the
harvest.
itself
change
rather
:
the
head
senses,
T h e
change
still
be,
If
but
are
it be
the
querable
t h o u g h t
are
the
too
will
ungovernable
these
to
steal,
sciousness ;
it
work.
i m p u l s i o n s are
and
k n o w s
that
only
w i t h o u t
inoffensive to
an
the
h u m a n
never
concern
abnormal,
most
Let
us
also
W h e n
their
beneath
of
this
of any
k i n d
the
do
ourselves
his
most
w i t h
w e
not
done
the
so
whenever
theft,
murder,
con-
uncon-
out
of
very
the
newspaper,
it i n s o m n i a
and
all forget,
and
it.
B u t
U n t i l
impulse
there
an
true
truculent.
further about
purpose,
that
finding
in-
examples
i m p u l s i o n arises.
has
(to
the
to
manifested
trifling
b y chance i n a
names
he
remark,
;
brings
absurd
accomplishes
pain.
pulsion
m a n y
read
and
i n -
w i t h o u t
is a species of a b e r r a t i o n
society
patient,
H o w
him
are
results
T h e
99
n a m e of some stranger,
we
m a y
uncon-
cause,
because
i n s t r u c t i v e t o p s y c h o l o g y as
anxiety.
the
T h e s e irresistible impulses are
" o n o m a t o m a n i a
patient
is so
the
very dissimilar forms.
torments
I
T o the consciousness of the
conditions of their genesis
Thus,
nature,
just
to practice incendiarism,
cause,
as
whatsoever
craving for drink,
motives,
the
the
group of irresistible impulsions w h i c h
reasonable
scious
signs to
inclinations I have
physiological a
kill, to c o m m i t suicide.
here
y o u
thwarted.
that
of
impulse
dividual,
of indication, or
satisfied or
cite the great
cludes
p h e n o m e n a
the necessities of the organisms,
enumerated
yet
as-
accord-
they
are
always
and
moreover,
an
position of pleasure a n d of p a i n : the latter,
effect that
in
imagina-
remains
conclusion
organization,
and,
the
change
are
tendencies,
( f r o m
there
same
the
109
y o u will
ingly,
the
U S 1 0 N .
is
the
causes
pleasure.
irresistible i m etc.)
has
been
P S 3
n o
realized,
C H O L O G Y
r
there
comes
a
OF
A
T T E N T I O N .
m o m e n t
of relaxation,
of
sat-
isfaction.
These
various
accurately
as
m o r b i d
studied
s y m p t o m s
i n recent
of one
generation.
manifestations
A n d
and
the
times.
the
same
result
is
have
T h e y are
cause,
that
been
regarded
namely,
w e
ever
find
same interconnection : a n o m a l y i n organization,
aly
in the
the
position of pleasure
T h i s
tional
not
tendencies
being
life
i n
(consciousness
are
w e
to
T h e
of
to
consider
only
thus,
other
words,
i m p l y
w i t h
the
teeth
that
and
yet
claws,
1 in
in wait
the
m o v e m e n t s
degree
sight
of
are
will
that
w e
then
scent
the
t h r o w
attained
tension,
or
the
jvaguely
adapted.
is at
it
i n -
den.
a
this
r e n d i n g
considerable
ex-
he
does
sight,
ready
to
but
the
about,
not
and
is
will
be
act:
the
slightest
A
weaker
seeking
the hazard of
is
a
state
b e i n g less
still
; i n
and
in
w h i c h
;
T h e y
always
is
organism
p r o w l s
path
Finally,
in his
as
purpose
that
carried out,
m o t o r innervation
rest
get
other.
and
his
aid of
his w h o l e
capture,
i n its
can
(or
a desire
prey
keeps
animal
some
these
p h e n o m e n a
degree
or
secondary
will cause t h e m to pass into action.
Itension,
animal
a
ourselves
m o t o r
his
the
but
not yet
to
Suppose
extreme
is w h e r e
and
chase
for it ;
state
impulsion
b y
i n
emo-
conscious
but
inclination,
has
of m o v e m e n t .
possess his victim,
lying
of
seized
satisfied his tendencies
\ penditure
f o u n d a t i o n of
m o v e m e n t s
i n some
has
a n o m a l y
whether
as
order
innervation
beast
a n o m -
be they real or nascent.
a craving, an
motor
T h e
it
into
the
positive idea
t h e m
the
pain.
represent
hibitions of m o v e m e n t s ) ,
enter,
of
it, and
i n all this playing
?
is
and
tendencies,
tendencies
t h e m
express
a d m i t t e d — t h a t
rests
p a r t ) — h o w
that
de-
weaker
T h e vague
of
b y
the
half-
strong,
and
degree,
the
i m a g e
of
prey,
C O N C L U S I O N .
111
that is, the memory of victims that have been devoured,
traverses his
a nascent,
not
m i n d
;
is c e r t a i n ,
that
continuity,
degree
t h r o u g h
between
and
that
element
of
any
intensity,
example
is
to
m a k e
have
taken
their
most
last
chosen
things
clear.
love,
four
t u m u l t u o u s
or
fear,
m o t o r
innervation,
T h e
or
m o v e m e n t
tendency,
thus,
ical p h e n o m e n o n ,
longer
"
a
desires—all
a nascent
these
or
of being
obliged
to
of c o n c o m i t a n t
or disappear
as
W e
; yet
the
a
a
a
its
body.
mysterious
indifferently
be
conscious
innervation none the
f u n d a m e n t a l
at the f o l l o w i n g
reducible to tendencies ; tendencies
be
conscious
spontaneous
origin
on,
and
b o u n d
or
emotional
(or
arrested
unconscious.
voluntary,
up
is
state
appear
or
un-
less
re-
conclusion:
states
m a y
or
is
element.
depends
m o v e m e n t s
as^it
T h e
m a y
and
signify
of development.
m a y
is
inclinations,
attention
damentally
I t
limit,
arrive, accordingly,
are
m o t o r y
extreme
tendency
m o t o r
purely
physiolog-
according
to
are
condition.
m o v e m e n t ,
arrest
u p o n
feeble
in
to it
a
s y n o n y m s
consciousness
the
up
to
their
evolved
; the
t h e m
nascent
soul," of
and
well
actually
Proclivities,
words
undergo
the
imparts
of the
miscarried
w h i c h
b o u n d
character.
capable
conscious
w h i c h
state
transcendent
is
as
and
extremely
i n
roughly
manifestations,
finally reducing
is o n l y a n
motor
f r o m
i n real life,
state that
a
is
out
met
internal
I t
intensity.
setting
weakenings,
mains
i n play
m i g h t just
successive
w i t h
does
there
is i n t e n t i o n a l l y
through
no
and
degrees
always
W e
aversion,
only
visible m o v e m e n t .
these
there
assumes
w i t h a simple difference of degree of
T h e
drawn,
motor
a very slight,
manifest itself
element,
the
is
i n m o t o r y
states ;
emotional
are
fun-
movements)
and
Attention,
accordingly,
conditions.
both
f r o m
its
P S Y C H O L O G Y
OF
A
T T E N T I O N .
n.
It now remains for us to offer a few remarks on the
most
general
physical
conditions of
closely observe
m e n
as
not
and
cultured
the
almost
ous
drilled
always
of
d o — w e
attention,
exceptional
like
and
consciousness.
in
w h i c h
w e
order
and
given
to us
nection
E l i m i n a t e
with
are
purely
succession
u p o n
at
anything involving
tensity
ance,
interest,
w h i c h
the
nor
clear
made
we
flux
these
m a y
that
w h i c h
cases
of
greater
m e n
and
at
habits
that
and
of our
s i m p l y
routine
m o v e
us
mental
as
a
w h e n
state
we
m a n u a l
of
read
a
of
life
because
the
are
conbook
occupation,
or
acts i n a
fixed
of relative intellectual re-
" t h i n k
of
n o t h i n g , "
:
have
that
is,
neither
in-
intellectual
nonchalfinally
all
violent agitation, w i t h
their
dis-
diffusion of movements.
;
are
E l i m i n a t e
spontaneous
the
they
reasons
perhaps
general
I n
this
clear
and
a m o u n t
of
this
a
A n d
having
f e w
others,
account of
general
attention
attention constitute
psychological
general
consciousness
remains.
w o m e n
attention,
the
succession
credit to the
n u m b e r
voluntary
of
:
eliminations, with
then
spontane-
intermittent states
i n all its degrees.
and
that
because their serial
determination
states of passion
orderly
us
a
people
states
reverie
and
and
w o r k
E l i m i n a t e that
wherein
of
passive
f r o m without,
average
i n
first
and
of our states of consciousness
of
pose
find
E l i m i n a t e the periods
is i m p o s e d
order.
vague
w e
psychologists
voluntary
mass
I f
t a k e n as a w h o l e ,
minds—as
all
enormous
automatons,
are,
shall surely
above
states.
l i f e — t h a t
they
attention.
m a k e
account,
u p
b y
indisputable
the
minority ;
almost
to
attention
the
far
cases
i n
w e
of
m a n y
nothing.
difference
the
have
T h e
at-
C O N C L
tempted
to
give.
the
of
c o m m o n
fact
fatigue,
cult,
the
the
more
B u t w e h a v e also
experience
impossible,
reason
than
any
is,
that
other
of
duced
particular
L e t
us
through
w h i c h
once
a
is
the
brain.
—as
f o r m e d of
the
mass of the
of
to
the
the
instead
of
work,
can
elements,
and
All
analogue
support
it w i t h
falling
w h o l l y
place
reserve
physiological
owes
great
be
pro-
it exists
only
consciousness,
physically
it
limited
w e
part
h a r m o n y
n o r m a l
state
w o r k of
its origin
to
t h r o u g h
a
energy
i n
our
one
one
w o r k
p e r f o r m e d
on
u p o n
the brain
w h a t
the
the
attention,
w h e n
fingers.
organ,
oxygen.
of
chemical
w h i c h
T h i s
the
I t is u n a v o i d a b l e
w o r k
of reserve
exhaustion
soon
gives
sets i n .
that
way,
E v e n
in
in
turn
production
debilitated
and
that
a m o n g
of
energy.
of w o r k , r e s u l t i n g f r o m n u t r i t i o n , is f a r f r o m b e i n g
stant.
are
T h i s
the
kinetic
product
organism,
food and
passes
transformation
into actual,
is
the
shoulders w e
portion of
of
w i t h
happens
of our
rapid
this
throughout
state of deep
of
of
probable
w o r k i n g i n
W h e n
pre-
conceive
spread
T h e
the
to
only take
action,
to
weight
or
to
diffusion, w i t h the
a
potential
of
that
others.
state
carrying
compelled
a
A t t e n t i o n supposes concentration,
this t r a n s i t i o n is t h e
diffi-
nature,
o r — w h i c h is m o r e
encephalon,
n o r m a l
of
duration.
very
that
whether
the w o r k of the brain localized.
f r o m
its
activity of a
not
consciousness supposes
brain diffused.
by
field
saying,
different
of
is v e r y
w h i c h has
the
a localized region,
exclusion
state
w i t h o u t
recall to m i n d ,
I t matters
as
to the
more
force,
p u t t i n g into
part
always
noted
conditions.
limitation
the
the
attention
attention,
physical
equivalent
supposes
i n
intellectual state requires
expenditure
under
and
incidentally
that
state of exhaustion,
often
A n d
U S I O N .
con-
persons
consequently
persons
unusu-
I I
P S
4
ally
I ' C H O L O G Y
gifted,
pended,
seems,
the
definition,
"
the
ous
system
tion
of activity,
author*
w h o
every
into
ecstasy,
stand
p o w e r w h i c h
reports
by
spent
the
w o u l d
d e m a n d
certain
cessive
edge
a
Is
be
fatigue
is
a
so
little
and
i m p o t e n c y ?
physiological state the
k n o w n
question,
that
week
i n
bed,
T o
and
to
d r a w
accom-
action
that
a
causes of w h i c h
with-
like
ex-
a period
however,
are
as
idle to d w e l l
any
in
cases
require
system
hence
ex-
interrup-
of
probable,
prove
f r o m
electro-magnetic
D y n a m o g e n y ,
it would
bed,
disturbed
p o w e r
nervous
hours
a small part of
day, w i t h o u t
it not
t h r o w n
of her
of movement.
for half
the
was
girl,
successive
and
the
influence."
bell
prolonged attention
of
augmenta-
a c t i v i t y , w h i c h is l i k e w i s e f o l l o w e d b y
of
the
parts
of
a prodigious
extraordinary and
in
of a
toes
nerv-
of a y o u n g
violent
rest
m o t o r y apparatus.
physiologists
e v o k i n g an
could not
incapable
tion,
condition
Brown-Sequard's
polished
three
this difficult feat
of
w h a t
twelve
the
and
plish
the
physical
certain parts of the
only by her
feet,
almost
It
in
sound
for
upright on
immobility
hausted,
long-continued.
observation
the
w h o
herself
is
a purely d y n a m i c
the
at
and
She
ex-
last
consists
t h r o u g h
soles of her
shocks.
the
quickly
t h a t is, a c c o r d i n g to
Sunday
supporting
her
and
possess of suddenly
T h i s
the
T T F . X T I O N .
capital
deep
that
attention,
calldynamogeny,
w o u l d
be
accordingly,
by
A
accumulated
if attention
exacted
OF
yet
u p o n
psychological
deductions.
I t is f u r t h e r n e c e s s a r y to o b s e r v e t h a t t h e
remarks
only
tions
attention.
of
formation
of
rigorously
T h e
e n e r g y "
apply
to the
terms
have
a
physical
" w o r k " and
value
* " Dictionaire
encyclofed.
des Sciences midicales,
" Gazette Hebdomadaire."
Jan. 2 0 i h , 1852.
and
Art.
preceding
condi"trans-
significance
Dynamogenie,"
and
C O N C L
only i n the
of
order
of
consciousness,
idea w e
m a y
former.
thors
stood
the
the
phenomena.
internal
" p s y c h i c
is b u t
a
physical
ness—and
physical
T h e
occurrence
these
force," of
metaphor,
w h i c h
unless
conditions of a
only.
T o
it are
state of
to
of potential
indicate
tions,
and
one
energy
of
n o t h i n g
its
into actual
a
au-
under-
p o w e r f u l
transforma-
energy,
fundamental,
the
conscious-
that
attention d e p e n d s u p o n the possibility of a
tion
w i t h
certain
by
maintain
state
(whatever
f o r m of i t ) is n o t c o m m e n s u r a b l e
T h e
speak,
U S I Q N .
is
s i m p l y
material
condi-
more.
In concluding this study of attention, there are
numerous
pointed
been,
practical consequences
out.
to
T h a t
analyze
estimation, has
T h i s
agreement
w i t h
extreme
it has
the
attention
f o r m — t h e
half-conscious
I
decline.
its m e c h a n i s m .
nowhere
demands.
voluntary
task
and
that
m i g h t
M y
T h e
been treated
sole
well
a i m
subject,
as
been m y endeavor
its
to
result
of lower
half-unconscious
than
m y
importance
do, and,
a higher
f o r m s
has
in
doctrine of evolution, to show
is n o t h i n g else
be
rising
processes.
in
that
and
f r o m
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