An Experimental Investigation of the Process of Choosing (Classic Reprint)

Download or read book An Experimental Investigation of the Process of Choosing (Classic Reprint) written by Raymond H. Wheeler and published by . This book was released on 2015-07-20 with total page 66 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from An Experimental Investigation of the Process of Choosing The Experimental Investigation of the Process of Choosing By Raymond H.Wheeler University of Oregon I. Introduction The experimental investigation here reported aims to present a detailed description and analysis of the mental processes involved in the act of choosing, together with an interpretation of the functioning of these mental processes. In 1910 Michotte and Prum (6)made an experimental analysis of the act of choosing. Their materials consisted of groups of numbers which were written upon cards in such fashion that certain simple arithmetical operations (adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing), were possible and convenient; and their method consisted of presenting one of these cards in a tachistoscope, with the instructions that the observer should choose for a serious motive either to add or subtract, to multiply or divide the numbers. Here it was found that one of the determining factors of the volitional consciousness consisted of a feeling of mental activity conscience de I action) which is unanalyzable and which is intimately associated with a consciousness of the self. The authors expressly state that this feeling of activity should be differentiated sharply from an awareness of muscular strain. Contemporary with these latter experiments, Barrett(3) investigated motives and motivation. He first established strong associations between eight unpleasantly tasting liquids and eight corresponding nonsense names; then he presented these names to his observers in as many combinations of pairs as possible. On a shelf between the observer and the experimental apparatus rested the two glasses of liquids corresponding to the names in the tachistoscope. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.