SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—J. 449 
affective. This is appetition. On the other hand, action may be determined 
with reference to an external object or end independently of any immediate 
agreeableness or disagreeableness in the experience which the action involves. 
This is reaction. Further, it seems to be agreed among psychologists that there 
are tendencies, both native and acquired, which are characterically appetitive, 
in the sense in which we are understanding appetition. Popular thought and 
popular speech indicate the same recognition, 
The first important questicn which suggests itself is: Are the two types of 
behaviour primitive? Three answers are possible. It may be maintained that 
appetition only is primitive, and reaction secondary. That is apparently Freud’s 
contention. It is a contention which leads to many difficulties, and which it 
is almost impossible to adhere to. Or we may take the view that reaction is 
primitive, appetition secondary. If one had to choose between these two 
answers the writer would at any rate prefer this, which can easily be supported 
from the general biological, if not from the psychological, point of view. The 
safest view for the psychologist to take is prebably that both are equally 
primitive. 
A second important question is: What is the relation between the two 
biologically and psychologically? Again, Freud has given an answer which is 
not easily justified on theoretical grounds, but is nevertheless of some practical 
value and significance. The general answer to this question would appear to 
follow from the fact that the fundamental psychological function of pleasure 
and unpleasure in the normal case is not to initiate action, but to guide and 
regulate, in spite of the apparent contradiction presented by the natural appetites. 
The possibility of progress and development in the individual seems to be bound 
up with this function. Or rathez the existence of reactive as opposed to 
appetitive tendencies seems to be a condition essential for human progress and 
development. In the case of the reactive tendencies pleasure and unpleasure 
function normally. 
Monday, September 12. 
11. Joint Meeting with Section D. Discussion on Instinctive 
Behaviour. See p. 423. 
12. Mr. F. B. Kirxmay.—The Psychological Difficulties of a 
Naturalist. 
13. Dr. W. H. R. Rivers, F.R.S.—The Instinct of Acquisition. 
14, Mr. J. C. Frucen.—Social Progress and Psychological Under- 
standing. 
Tuesday, September 13. 
15. Dr. C. W. Kivuins.—An Investigation of the Sense of Humour 
in School Children. 
From the analyses of a large number of funny stories and jokes recorded 
by children of different ages much interesting information has been obtained 
with regard to the varying nature of the elements most provocative of laughter 
and amusement from year to year, and the differences in this respect between 
boys ek girls. The greatest changes are associated with periods of rapid 
growth. 
Illustrations of the types of funny story and humorous incident of universal 
appeal. The long life of a good joke and the reasons for its survival. 
Theories of laughter. 
The consideration of—(1) the element of surprise; (2) the feeling of 
superiority ; (3) the misfortunes of others; (4) the play upon words; (5) riddles; 
and (6) boisterous fun, as factors in humorous situations. 
The child’s library of funny books. The important place taken by the 
fairy story. 
