Boris Sidis

“ The child’s growth does not exactly follow the same lines as those of the synthetic moment, since the psychic life of man develops on a higher level belonging to a higher type of moment. In the efforts of the baby to walk some germs of deliberation and reflection may be observed, but it is hardly probably that these elements are present in the first attempts of the cat to walk or the bird to fly. The moment of the synthetic type grows by simple modifications of its function brought about by its repeated reproductions. ”

“ The exercise of the apparatus, along with its further growth, brings about a more perfect adaptation, and the child finally learns to maintain its equilibrium when in sitting posture. The standing upright passes through a similar history. When the co-ordinating apparatus for walking begins to appear, it works at first in a very awkward manner. The child first walks by holding on to some objects, such as chairs, or the wall, or the hand of his parent and nurse. When he makes a step all by himself, he is almost frightened, and when left alone often cries. ”

“ The successful actions alone will be repeated, the unsuccessful will drop out. Finally the adaptation will become so perfect that the sight of the closed door will at once result in the reaction of scratching the handle and opening the door. ”

“ Modifications due to successful chance action, being more satisfactory to the brute, are stronger and modify the moment in their own direction, while unsuccessful reactions tend to drop out and thus adaptation, improvement is brought about. ”

“ The first weeks of their life kittens or puppies are unable to walk well, they seem to pick their way continuously; gradually they learn to walk and run; the dog soon begins to race and the cat becomes graceful and nimble in its movements. ”

“ The cat in scratching for the door to open it scratches at first aimlessly and does not open,―the actions are unsuccessful. Should the cat happen to scratch the handle and open the door, which certainly is probable, considering the activity of the cat’s paw, the result is satisfactory. ”

“ The fish in making repeated attack on another fish contained in the same tank and meeting repeatedly with failures will finally desist from its attempts. The fish that has been snapped at many times and has escaped will keep away from the dangerous place. ”

“ The whole matter is far simpler. Each repeated failure modifies the moment-consciousness so that the content slightly changes, the unsuccessful motor reactions diminish and finally disappear, while in their place others are substituted. ”