sons we like and differently to those we dislike. We respond in a particular 

 way to our school or national flag; others respond in a similar way to other 

 stimuli — that is, to their schools or flags. 



Organic Aspects of the Emotions' When a person is angry, he some- 

 times acts violently. We say, "the blood rushes to the head" — and it does. 

 He "sees red" — but not clearly. Instead of thinking clearly about what he 

 needs to do or how to do it, he is apt to act wildly. 



When anger is aroused, one may be "white with rage". A rapid increase 

 of epinephrin in the blood makes the fine capillaries of the surface circula- 

 tion contract. But it also raises the blood pressure and presently one can be 

 red with rage. The rapidly diffused adrenin increases the flow of blood to the 

 skeletal muscles, which become tense, ready to act promptly and powerfully; 

 but it has an opposite effect upon the circulation of the digestive tract. Even a 

 young child can discover that when strong feelings are aroused, he does not 

 feel like eating; and it is not wise to urge food at such times. As the 

 stomach and the intestines stop all glandular and muscular work, one may 

 suffer acute indigestion. Under a strong emotion one may "feel sick at the 

 stomach". 



These changes in the circulation of the blood and in blood pressure are 

 not ordinarily apparent to the observer. But we know from experiments 

 that they are as truly parts of the emotions as the feelings themselves, as the 

 facial expressions, and as the changes in behavior. 



In the case of fear, we may find many departures from the normal be- 

 sides those of the facial expression. On the other hand, it is possible for one 

 to be "consumed by jealousy" or by curiosity without showing it outwardly, 

 at least without showing it in a way that most of us would recognize. 



Whatever happens to the emotions influences the whole body, probably 

 through the chemical effects of substances from the ductless glands. The 

 experiences and activities of the whole body in turn modify the ductless 

 glands and the emotions, probably through the reflexes of the autonomic 

 nervous system. It is said that when one is frightened and starts to run, the 

 movements and the whole attitude of the body will tend to strengthen the 

 fear feelings. If, on the other hand, one faces the object of fear and begins 

 to act against it, those feelings soon evaporate. This is so true that we can 

 see every day the relation between a person's posture and his habitual dis- 

 position. The sergeant may be able to force the recruits to stand up like 

 soldiers, but unless they somehow learn to feel like soldiers, they will slump 

 into some other way of standing as soon as the discipline is withdrawn. 



Kinds of Learning A person cannot help becoming hungry when he 

 has been short of food for a long time. The nature of the organism compels 

 a certain emotion under certain conditions. But the manner of satisfying 



iSee No. 4, p. 320. 

 317 



