Outlines of psychology : with special reference to the theory of education / by James Sully.

  • James Sully
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Outlines of psychology : with special reference to the theory of education / by James Sully. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    ATTENTION, The special capability seems at first sight to imply two things lacihty in dismissing an object from the mind, and in readjusting the attention in a new direction. But perhaps these are only two sides of one and the same capability. It may be said that we only com- pletely expel a thing from the thoughts when we redirect them else- whither. Rapid expulsion would thus appear to carry with it rapid readjustment. Habits of Attention. Voluntary attention, like voluntary action as a whole, is perfected in the form of habits. By a habit we mean a fixed disposition to do a thing, and a facility in doing it, the result of numerous repetitions of the action. The growth of the power of attention may be viewed as a progres- sive formation of habits. At first voluntary concen- tration of mind requires a spur and an effort. As soon as the pressure of strong motive is withdrawn, the young mind returns to its natural state of listless- ncss or wandering attention. A habit of attention first appears as a recurring readiness to attend under definite circumstances, for example when the child goes into his class-room, or is addressed by somebody Later on there manifests itself a more permanent attitude of attentiveness. The transition from child- hood to youth is often characterised by the acquisition of a wider habit of mental watchfulness, showinof itself in thoughtfulness about what is seen and heard. The highest result of the working of the principle or habit in this region is illustrated in the customary, and but rarely relaxed, alertness of mind of the di]io;ent observer of nature. Varieties of Attentive Power. It has been implied that the power of attention does not always develop equally on all sides. Through difierences of native
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