This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913 Excerpt: ...forward tentatively. It does not seem to make as many assumptions as the previous ones. We have seen that the following facts are those on which a rational explanation of psychological phenomena has been built, namely: (1) the more closely associated two neurone systems are by the inner growth of the body, the more ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913 Excerpt: ...forward tentatively. It does not seem to make as many assumptions as the previous ones. We have seen that the following facts are those on which a rational explanation of psychological phenomena has been built, namely: (1) the more closely associated two neurone systems are by the inner growth of the body, the more easily, do they function together; (2) neurones, except after immediate discharge, are in a state of tension (i.e. exhibit a tendency to discharge); (3) the discharge always takes the path of the least resistance; (4) the stronger the stimulus the wider is the area affected by it; (5) the passage of an impulse through a neurone system permanently lowers its resistance. Consider the neurone systems a or b which are fairly closely associated by growth but not yet definitely connected. Both are in a state of tonus and ready to discharge into as many contiguous systems as possible. Suppose them stimulated simultaneously or in immediate succession. Both systems seek an outlet. Under these conditions they are more than likely to discharge through a system c which is common to both. This common channel of discharge causes the association of a and b, for when a is next stimulated its discharge through c lowers, for an instant, the resistance between b and c and so b also discharges. The stronger the initial discharges, the closer the association between a and 6. Thus the element of vividness in association is explained. Recency, frequency and the other factors are also easily explained by the theory. M The failure of an association to take place can be accounted for by supposing that stimulation of a and its discharge through c is insufficient to break down the natural resistance existing between b and c when both are quiescent. It explains why associati...
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