the same response each time. In such cases the associations soon become fixed,
and the response certain and automatic. For example, we sit at the table, and the
response of eating follows, with all its complex acts, as a matter of course. We
lie down in bed, and the response of sleep comes. We take our place at the piano,
and our fingers produce the accustomed music.
It is of course obvious that the influence of association extends to moral action
as well. In general, our conduct follows the trend of established associations. We
are likely to do in great moral crises about as we are in the habit of doing in
small ones.
2. THE TYPES OF ASSOCIATION
Fundamental Law of Association.—Stated on the physiological side, the law
of habit as set forth in the definition of association in the preceding section
includes all the laws of association. In different phrasing we may say: (1)
Neurone groups accustomed to acting together have the tendency to work in
unison. (2) The more frequently such groups act together the stronger will be the
tendency for one to throw the other into action. Also, (3) the more intense the
excitement or tension under which they act together the stronger will be the
tendency for activity in one to bring about activity in the other.
The corresponding facts may be expressed in psychological terms as follows: (1)
Facts accustomed to being associated together in the mind have a tendency to
reappear together. (2) The more frequently these facts appear together the
stronger the tendency for the presence of one to insure the presence of the other.
(3) The greater the tension, excitement or concentration when these facts appear
in conjunction with each other, the more certain the presence of one is to cause
the presence of the other.
Several different types of association have been differentiated by psychologists
from Aristotle down. It is to be kept in mind, however, that all association types
go back to the elementary law of habit-connections among the neurones for their
explanation.
Association by Contiguity.—The recurrence in our minds of many of the
elements from our past experience is due to the fact that at some time, possibly
at many times, the recurring facts were contiguous in consciousness with some
other element or fact which happens now to be again present. All have had the
experience of meeting some person whom we had not seen for several months or