And thirdly the _quality_ of the feeling-tone must be dependent upon,
and must be described in terms of the particular kind of coördinated
movements suggested or actually carried out. Thus the characters of the
feeling-tones for the yellow color above described, for the upright
ovals, for the very high tones, for the _Laocoön_ group, and for the
_Horse Fair_, are in some respects alike. They have the same general
_Gefühlsgrundlage_. The qualities of the feelings for soft deep red,
for tactual plush, for low tones, and for the _Angelus_, and, for most
subjects, for Venus, would represent another class having the same
_Gefühlsgrundlage_. This admits of all the uniqueness specific feelings
may have, and at the same time permits of a general classification
and description. Some subjects, D and F, for example, may have a
feeling whose quality is disgust at some color-form combination. The
accompanying sensations may be localized, as they frequently are,
in the arms, with impulses to "ward off" the displeasing influence.
Subject B often for the same feeling finds sensations of contraction
in the throat most prominent, and subject A a stiffening of the
features and incipient scowl. The most prominent localization depends
upon the habits of the person and the habitual kind of reaction he
has acquired and developed during his lifetime. The localization of
muscular activity may differ, but _the kind of coördination does not,
so far as our introspection shows_. The _regularity_, the _rate_, the
_smooth light ease_, or the _heavy, ponderous, deep-seated character_
of the suggested responses indicate some of the terms which would serve
as aids in classifying kinds of processes which are physiological
conditions for feelings of definite character. Again, feelings of
pleasant repose, of depression, or of sudden collapse are still changes
also in innervation tonus. These are adaptations for situations just as
are the more positive or aggressive kinds illustrated above. Feelings
where quick collapse occurs differ in _quality_ from feelings of calm
repose. All can be conceived as kinds of adaptations or responses, and
clearly correspond to the characters of feeling-tones rather than to
any other dimension of feelings or sensations.
Certainly the central preparedness for discharge largely determines the
feelings. The external excitations are merely the clues. The internal
apparatus is set vibrating in a constant manner if no other external or
central stimulus is present to demand other adjustments or to intensify
the same kind. When such synergetic or antagonistic stimuli are also
present the mutual influences of feelings do seem to be, indeed, of
great significance.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 84: As Mach long ago pointed out, _pleasant_ is a vague term
and in itself does not serve as a true descriptive term. _Pleasant_
here applies to both feeling for red and for yellow, but something more
is needed to distinguish these very different feelings.]
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