Affective Tendencies 391 



Therefore from the first moment of its activation it has 

 the appearance of a "movement in the nascent state" 

 (Ribot). 



If its activation is sudden and intense the resulting 

 activity of the motor muscles is accompanied by that of 

 all the viscera. This "visceral cooperation" which thus 

 takes place in connection with the emotions properly so 

 called, is not, as Sherrington believes, due solely to the 

 fact that the rapidity and intensity with which the muscles 

 are set in motion induces the immediate action of the 

 viscera which furnish the muscles wth the material for 

 their energy, but also and especially because there is an 

 overflow of nervous energy, which suddenly released in 

 great quantities acts like a flood, and pours forth in nu- 

 merous other tracks than those closely connected with the 

 locomotor apparatus. 42 



And this visceral commotion thus produced as a result 

 of the sudden intense impulse, according to the well- 

 known theory of James, Lange and Sergi, finds its cen- 

 tripetal echo in the brain in the form of an emotion. 43 



Hence it is the affective tendency which impels us and 

 not the emotion as Sherrington maintains in accordance 

 with the prevalent confusion between affective tendency 

 and emotion which cannot be too greatly deplored, and 

 the emotion is only the reaction of a too rapid and intense 

 manifestation of this tendency. 



On the other hand if on account of external condi- 

 tions or the psychic disposition of the individual the acti- 

 vation of the affective tendency takes place neither too 



42 See Sherrington, The Integrative Action of the Nervous Sys- 

 tem, pp. 265 f. 



43 See the famous article of W. James, "What is an Emotion?" 

 Mind, April, 1884, pp. 188-205. Revault d'Allonnes, Lcs inclinations, 

 108 f. 



