The Psychology of the EmotionsRibot, Th. (Théodule)
Science
The Psychology of the Emotions
Ribot, Th. (Théodule)
Emotions
3. According to Lange, and in spite of popular opinion, there is no
increase in the biliary secretion; but this is not the case with the
saliva, as is proved by the phrase, “foaming with wrath.” It is
important to note that anger sometimes gives the secretions a toxic
character. Van Swieten, Bichat, Trousseau, and others have verified
this in the case of the saliva, when the quantity of ptomaine is
augmented; and it has long been known that the bite of furious
animals is dangerous, while analogous facts have been ascertained in
the case of one human being bitten by another in a fit of rage. The
lacteal secretion may also become toxic, and produce on the nursling
the effect of poison. These facts once more show the close relations
between emotion and physiological or even chemical phenomena.
In short, the organism in general, and the active organs in
particular, being excited, we may say with Spencer, “that what we
call the natural language of anger is due to a partial constriction
of the muscles which actual combat would call into full activity,
all signs of irritation, beginning with the rapid shadow which
passes over the brow when some slight cause of irritation occurs,
being different degrees of the same contractions.”
Anger and fear form an antithesis, but the former has, both
physiologically and psychologically, a more complex character. In
fact, fear, in all its degrees and throughout its whole duration,
invariably remains within the category of painful emotions, while
anger passes through two stages. The first, or asthenic, corresponds
to the cause, the external occurrence, the immediate shock, and
consists in a short depression, which is an entirely painful state;
the second, or sthenic, corresponds to the offensive reaction, and,
by its symptoms, approaches much more closely to pleasure than to
pain. We need only remember the sardonic laughter which accompanies
not merely the outbreak of anger, but some of its mitigated forms,
and expresses the joy of seeing others suffer. Anger is therefore a
mixed emotion; it does not belong altogether to the category of
painful states of consciousness, though the painful side is
predominant.
Considered as an internal and purely psychical phenomenon, it eludes
description, like every state which defies further analysis, and, in
its acute forms, cannot be seized by internal observation. It
scarcely admits of retrospective examination. Its psychology is the
history of its evolution, comprising three principal periods:—
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account