Attention and interest : a study in psychology and education / by Felix Arnold.

  • Arnold, Felix, 1879-
Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Attention and interest : a study in psychology and education / by Felix Arnold. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    effected. There is no inherent virtue in either increase or decrease in intensity. Such a change, in itself, means little. It is the purpose which the change is to subserve which determines whether or not there is to be an increase in the intensity of incoming impressions. If increase of intensity will facilitate more perfect control, then the individual will secure such increase in intensity and illumination, by artificial means, if necessary. Usually, ideal and motor reinforce- ments are called into service to secure increase in the intensity of an impression. If one listens closely enough, one may hear a sound which has no real existence. If ideal elements can not be used, mechanical] instruments are called into play. On the other hand, if a more modified atmosphere is necessary, a situation may be plucked out of a too intense and blinding illumination, and placed in one more subdued. An artist will examine a picture with half-closed eyes. One may, in fact, close one’s eyes entirely to a too obtrusive situa-_ tion. Intensity may or may not be found ac- cording as control calls for it or not. Increase — in intensity, when present, is possible only within narrow limits. One can, for example, follow a diminuendo with increasing attention. The re- sulting increase in intensity is only a relative one,