Volume 1

Analytic psychology.

  • George Frederick Stout
Date:
1896
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Analytic psychology. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    Letters on the Laws of Man's Nature and Development an account “ of a youth under her own observation who, in con- sequence of early injury to the brain, never acquired the power of speech or of understanding the language of others, or of in any way recognising other minds ; but was at the same time strongly affected by sensory impressions. ‘ He could endure nothing out of its position in space or its order in time. If any neiv thing was done to him at any mmute of the day, the same thing must be done at the same minute every day thence- forward.' Thus, although he disliked personal interference, his hair and nails having been one day cut at ten minutes past eleven, the next day and every day after, at ten minutes past eleven, he, ‘ as if by a fate,’ brought comb, scissors, and towel ; and it was necessary to cut a snip of hair before he would release himself. Yet he had no knowledge whatever of the measurement of time by clocks and watches, and was no less minutely punctual in his observances when placed beyond the reach of these aids. So in regard to form, number, and quantity his actions were equally methodical. He occupied himself much in making paper-cuttings, which were remark- able for their symmetry. If, when he was out of the room, a brick were taken from the heap with which he amused himself, he would pass his hand over them, spread them a little, and then lament and wander about till the missing one was restored. If seven comfits had once been put into his hand, he would not rest with six ; and if nine were given he would not touch any until he had returned two.”1 In normal life, uniform repetition is a characteristic of a fully-formed habit, which has to be accounted for by the process through which the habit grows. It cannot therefore be regarded as present from the outset. The relatively stable and unchanging form of reaction which finally emerges is the result of a series of repetitions each of which brings with it a certain alteration of
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