The Origin and Nature of the Emotions; Miscellaneous PapersCrile, George Washington
Science
The Origin and Nature of the Emotions; Miscellaneous Papers
Crile, George Washington
Emotions; Psychophysiology
From these premises it would appear that under the influence
of fear, most, perhaps all, of the organs of the body are divided
sharply into two classes: First, those that are stimulated,
and, second, those that are inhibited. Those that are stimulated
are the entire muscular system, the vasomotor and locomotor systems,
the senses of perception, the respiration, the mechanism for erecting
the hair, the sweat-glands, the thyroid gland, the adrenal gland
(Cannon), and the special senses. On the other hand,
all the digestive and procreative functions are inhibited.
What is the significance of this stimulation of some and inhibition
of other organs? As far as we know, the stimulated organs
increase the efficiency of the animal for fight or for flight.
It is through skeletal muscles that the physical attack or escape
is effected; these muscles alone energize the claws, the teeth,
the hoofs, and the means for flight. The increased action of the
muscles of the heart and the blood-vessels increases the efficiency
of the circulation; the secretion of the adrenal gland causes a rise
in the blood-pressure; the increased action of the thyroid gland causes
an increased metabolic activity; there is evidence that glycogen
is actively called out, this being the most immediately available
substance for the production of energy; the increased activity
of the respiration is needed to supply the greater need of oxygen
and the elimination of the increased amount of waste products;
the dilatation of the nostrils affords a freer intake of air;
the increased activity of the sweat-glands is needed to regulate
the temperature of the body which the increased metabolism causes to rise.
The activity of all the organs of perception--sight, hearing, smell--
is increased in order that the danger may be more accurately perceived.
It cannot be a mere coincidence that the organs and the tissues
that are stimulated in the emotion of fear are precisely those that
are actually utilized in a physical struggle for self-preservation.
Are any other organs stimulated by fear except those that can
or that do assist in making a defensive struggle? I know of none.
On the other hand, if an animal could dispense with his bulky
digestive organs, whose functions are suspended by fear, if he could,
so to speak, clear his decks for battle, it would be to his advantage.
Although the marvelous versatility of natural selection apparently
could devise no means of affording this advantage, it nevertheless shut
off the nervous current and saved the vital force which is ordinarily
consumed by these non-combatants in the performance of their functions.
Whatever may be the origin of fear, its phenomena are due to a
stimulation of all the organs and tissues that add to the efficiency
of the physical struggle for self-preservation and an inhibition
of the func-
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account