_Section B._ Introspection here as to the physiological accompaniments
referring exclusively to one of the two or more existing feeling-tones
is still more meagre, but at times very definite. When the elements of
a total feeling fuse there is of course no reference to the particular
processes which bring this about. It is then simply a general response
to a situation. _When, however, distinct, or opposing feeling-tones
are present and detected, they do often mean opposing inclinations
to action._ The yellow color can retain its exciting tone, and refer
clearly to such activities as opening wide the eyes, incipient
smiling tendencies, and general alertness of facial expression, when
a soothing touch is also felt as suggesting a toning-down of the body
and a general relaxation of the muscles of the abdomen. This is the
most frequently noticed effect. Tactual impressions are accompanied
by pervading organic feelings in the trunk, while visual and auditory
stimulations, in their incipient stages, at least, have the more
pronounced effect upon facial muscles of expression, and general
sensations in the head. When any of these feelings are particularly
strong, however, the sensations, whose feeling-tones seem to constitute
the feeling in question, tend to pervade the entire system and to usurp
the whole bodily activity. The motor tendencies noticed above for
the irregular forms are also reported when the color itself remains
pleasant. Yellow, possessing more of this activity itself, is least
pleasant when exposed in these forms. The opposition of tendencies is
noticed, yellow meaning its own peculiar kind of aggressive movement,
and the bad form at the same time calling for that irregular kind
of unpleasant adjustment. Red does not "intrude itself" nor demand
action, and is always less strikingly in opposition to the form than is
the case with yellow or green or blue. Forms, almost perfect, relate
themselves to feelings of tension. One feels that he cannot quite take
them as perfect figures, and this strain and inability to take them
for what they suggest provokes a decidedly unpleasant feeling. Very
irregular forms become "grotesque" or ludicrous, and the bodily change
is indicated as a "jumble of partially carried out reactions."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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