CHAPTER V 

 INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE AND SOCIAL TRADITION 



III. CORRELATION BASED ON EXPERIENCE 



So far we have considered correlation dependent on the 

 hereditary structure, or on the operation of present, i.e. 

 co-existent conditions. We have now to deal with correla- 

 tions arising directly or indirectly out of the past experi- 

 ence of the individual, and related to his future, perhaps his 

 remote future, or to that of his society. 



(1) Enduring organic effects. 



Now the influence of past experience in a certain sense 

 affects action at a very early stage. For the reaction of the 

 organism is, of course, dependent on the organic condition 

 at the moment, and this condition will be affected by the 

 past. Thus the animal which has just had a full meal will 

 in general (not always) react to food in a very different way 

 from the animal which is hungry. Again, the animal 

 which has begun to chase a prey has its faculties and im- 

 pulses directed towards that prey in a special manner, and 

 it may, in consequence, ignore other stimuli for the time 

 while reacting with enhanced keenness to anything pro- 

 ceeding from the chase itself. In such case the past 

 operates, but does not produce any specific types of correla- 

 tion beyond those already mentioned. Its influence is 

 chiefly interesting as evidence of a certain plasticity in the 

 organism, which prepares the way for higher types. 



(2) Acclimatisation. 



Such plasticity has a more definite effect in the accom- 

 modation to special conditions, of which probably all 



