After this, pictures more or less morally as well as æsthetically
suggestive were used. Millet's _Angelus_ and his _Shepherdess Knitting_
and Rosa Bonheur's _Horse Fair_ afforded suggestion hints as to the
contrasted motor significance of the complex states called forth. Here
the attempt was made to find out in how far the feeling when once
aroused is dependent upon the retained after-images or memory-images
of the original visual stimulation, and what sort of feelings tend the
longer to persist. Or again when both are taken in in quick succession,
what sort of imagery and associations result. Are the resulting
associations or images colored by both feeling-tones in any definite
way? And if the feeling itself persists despite the loss of imagery,
can it be referred merely to more internal sensations, or does there
seem to be a necessity to consider it of purely central origin?
Such, in brief outline, has been the proposed method of study. In an
experiment of this delicate nature there are clearly many things to
guard against. There is danger that the investigator will unwittingly
make suggestions to the subjects by his questions. There is a great
danger of auto-suggestion on the part of the subject. The likelihood
is also considerable that the subjects will fall into stereotyped
forms of expression and general listlessness in introspection, where
from week to week these simple experiences are being repeated for
closer and closer examination. Again the special mood of the day will
necessarily tend to affect all such feeling-attitudes toward slight
stimulations supposed to have a feeling-tone. These and other dangers
were recognized at the outset, and avoided as much as possible by
such legitimate variations as could be introduced without changing
the general purpose of the work. No subject was used when he felt,
for whatever reason, unable to adapt himself to the conditions of the
experiment. No subject knew anything of the recorded results of the
others, and it was constantly urged that each person should wholly
regard the present feeling in question, ignoring any remembered tone
which that special stimulation had before afforded him.
It very soon became evident that the variations among individuals,
especially as to the amount of feeling and the consequent ability to
fix upon the special physical processes involved, were considerable.
The subjects represent types. Hence, it seems necessary at once to
mention briefly some characteristics of the persons themselves who have
reported these various experiences. This was kept in mind throughout,
and seems of decided significance in the interpretation of the recorded
results. After an examination of the results of each individual,
whatever remains that is common to all will be briefly summarized.
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