muscles are not called into any activity of account. Simple inhibition of movement, however, is a considerable strain and calls the muscles into play just as does more expressive action.32 The more active innervations and motor attitudes, their constant changing and shifting as the series of ideas change, the motor diffusions, and the like also deplete motor energy to a considerable extent.

82

Yale Psych. Stud., Psych. Rev., Mon. Sup., 7:141-184, ‘Analysis of Reaction Movements,' by C. H. Judd, C. N. McAllister, and W. M. Steele.

CHAPTER V

RECAPITULATION

§ I. DEFINITION OF ATTENTION

Attention must be considered from two points of view, (1) the sensory or ideal and (2) the motor or physiological. Without the other, either is more or less empty and meaningless. The result of the sensorimotor control is distinctness and clearness within the given field. Considering these aspects, we may define atten, tion thus:

Attention is a process of sensorimotor control which tends to increase the clearness and distinctness of the given field.

§ II. OUTLINE OF ASPECTS

We have then two aspects of attention, the subjective and the objective. The subjective aspect includes the sensory (ideal) and the motor (physiological) processes. The objective aspect includes both qualitative and quantitative changes. Under the former we have clearness and distinctness. Under the latter we have the size of the field of attention, the fluctuation of minimal stimuli, and facilitation or arrest of the

parts of the field in their temporal or spatial relations. In outline form the subjective process and the objective effects may be given as follows:

§ III. OUTLINE OF STAGES

The stages of attention may be outlined as

follows:

Primary

Sense stimulation

Instinctive motor re

sponse with waste Lack of definite direction (residual bases formed)

12

Assimilative

Sense stimulation plus

ideal reinforcement Motor control through unconscious action and habit

Direction still external

Secondary

Definite guidance by images or ideas

Construction of a means cognised as such
Persistence of the means by association with
an end

Direction internal

§ IV. OUTLINE OF CONDITIONS

Objective conditions which tend to impel attention are:

Difference
Quality

Intensity

(Extensity)

Change

Quality

Intensity

(Extensity)

Pleasure-pain

Time

Subjective conditions which facilitate persistence of attention are:

Preadjustment

Reinforcement
Practice

Pause (rest)
Natural vitality
Mental ability1

1 Compare the discussions in: Pillsbury, W. B., Attention. Titchener, E. B., The Psychology of Feeling and Attention. Roerich, Edouard, L'Attention Spontanée et Voluntaire. Nayrac,

Jean-Paul, Physiologie et Psychologie de l'Attention. Serol, M., 'Analyse de l'Attention,' Rev. de Phil., 7:597-620 (Rev. in Psych. Bul., 3:140-143). McDougall, W., "The Physiological Factors of the Attention-Process,' Mind, 11:316-351, 12:289-302, and 473-488. Kohn, H. E., 'Zur Theorie de Aufmerksamkeit,' Abhand. z. Phil. u. ihrer Gesch., 5. Shand, A. F., ‘An Analysis of Attention,' Mind, 3:449-473, and 'Attention and Will,' Mind, 4:450-471. Bradley, F. H., 'On Active Attention,' Mind, 11:1-30, and 'Is There Any Special Activity of Attention? Mind, 11:305–323. Calkins, M. W., An Int. to Psych., 'Appendix,' Sect. VII.