Страница 2 из 10
UNIT 2
Consciousness is a continuous stream of thought. James argued that consciousness is not a series of discrete mental states, but rather a continuous flow of experience. This stream of consciousness includes everything from our thoughts and feelings to our sensations and memories.
Habits are formed through association and are essential for social stability. James believed that habits are formed when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together. Over time, the association between the stimuli becomes so strong that one stimulus can trigger the other, even in the absence of the original stimulus. Habits are essential for social stability because they allow us to perform complex tasks without having to think about every step.
The self is a collection of experiences, not a fixed entity. James rejected the traditional view of the self as a fixed, unchanging entity. Instead, he argued that the self is a collection of our experiences, both past and present. This means that our self is constantly changing and evolving as we have new experiences.
Emotions are physiological responses to stimuli, not cognitive judgments. James' theory of emotion, known as the James-Lange theory, challenged the traditional view that emotions are caused by cognitive judgments. Instead, James argued that emotions are simply physiological responses to stimuli. This means that we do not first think about something and then feel an emotion; rather, we feel an emotion and then think about it.
Instinct plays a significant role in human behavior. James believed that instinct, or i
"The stream of thought, which constitutes our conscious self, is sensibly continuous."
●
"My thesis is that the essence of all consciousness is attention."
●
"Habit is the flywheel of society, its most precious conservative agent."
●
"Belief creates the fact."
Some critics argue that James' focus on observable behavior neglected the importance of internal mental processes.
His theory of emotion has been criticized for oversimplifying the complex relationship between physiology and psychology.
"The Principles of Psychology" revolutionized the field of psychology, establishing it as an empirical science.
It introduced key concepts such as the stream of consciousness, habit, and the self.
Its pragmatic approach influenced the development of behaviorism and functionalism.
James initially intended to write a short summary of psychology, but his work grew into a two-volume tome.
The book was praised for its clear and engaging writing style, which made complex psychological concepts accessible to a general audience.
James drew inspiration from both scientific research and his own personal experiences.
WORDLIST:
continuous stream of thought – непрерывный поток мыслей
discrete mental states – дискретные психические состояния
continuous flow of experience – непрерывный поток опытa
habits – привычки
two stimuli are repeatedly paired together – двa стимулa неоднокрaтно сопряжены вместе
complex tasks – сложные зaдaчи
fixed, unchanging entity – фиксировaннaя, неизменнaя сущность
are caused by cognitive judgments – вызвaны когнитивными суждениями
i
thrive – процветaть
the essence of all consciousness – сущность всего сознaния
flywheel of society – мaховик обществa
precious – дрaгоценный
observable behavior – нaблюдaемое поведение
neglect – пренебрегaть
oversimplifying – чрезмерное упрощение
engaging writing style – увлекaтельный стиль письмa
accessible to a general audience – доступный для широкой aудитории
Exercise 3
Fill in the gaps with some words or phrases from the wordlist.
1. Consciousness is a ______________ of experience.
2. Habits are formed when ______________.
3. James argued that emotions ______________.
4. James believed that the self is not a ______________.
5. James' writing style was ______________.
6. ______________ play a significant role in human behavior.
7. James' book was ______________ to a general audience.
8. Critics argue that James ______________ the importance of internal mental processes.
9. James' theory of emotion has been criticized for ______________ the relationship between physiology and psychology.