The Psychology of the EmotionsRibot, Th. (Théodule)
Science
The Psychology of the Emotions
Ribot, Th. (Théodule)
Emotions
2. The same thing is to be observed with regard to the respiration,
which becomes more active; in consequence, the temperature of the
body rises, and the nutritive exchanges, becoming more rapid, result
in a rich alimentation of the organs and tissues. “In joy, all parts
of the body receive advantage, and are likely to last longer; the
cheerful and contented man is well nourished and remains young. It
is a truism that people in good health are contented” (Lange). Joy
also tends to make the secretions (lacteal, spermatic, etc.) more
abundant.
3. The innervation of the voluntary muscles expresses itself by
exuberance of movements, by joyful exclamations, laughter, and
singing. Certain cases of extreme and sudden joy have been known to
produce all the effects of alcoholic intoxication. Sir H. Davy
danced in his laboratory after making the discovery of potassium. At
the London International Congress of Psychology (1892), Münsterberg
communicated the following experiments under the title of “The
Psychological Foundation of the Feelings.” A line ten centimetres in
length is drawn with the right hand. When this movement has been
thoroughly practised, it should be repeated with closed eyes,
passing the hand first from right to left, with a movement of
centripetal flexion, then from left to right, with a movement of
centrifugal extension. In such a case mistakes will be made,
sometimes in the one direction, sometimes in the other. Let us
repeat the same experiments under the influence of certain affective
states (sadness, gaiety, anger, etc.), noting all errors and their
direction. Münsterberg has discovered them to be determined by a
very exact law. In vexation, the extensor movements (centrifugal)
are too short (average error, 10 mm.), and the flexor movements
(centripetal) too long, the average excess being 12 mm. In joy, on
the other hand, the centrifugal movements are in excess by (on an
average) 10 mm., and the centripetal movements too short by an
average of 20 mm. From this he concludes that, in pleasure, motion
tends to increase; in pain, to diminish.
The manifestations of joy may be summed up in a single
word—dynamogeny. Joy produces energy.
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