Excerpt from An Analysis of the Action Consciousness, Based on the Simple Reaction: Thesis Presented to the Faculty of Cornell University for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Thus far, then, we have noted four uses to which the Re action Experiment has been put; (1) in astronomy, the personal equation; (2) in physiology, measurement of the rapidity of nerve currents; (3) method of finding rapidity of thought; and (4) a way of studying consciousness. The last two have significance for psychology, and it is plain that Astronomy and Physiology have offered Psychology a most fruitful method for the study of mental processes. But throughout the history Of the Reaction Experiment, as used by psychologists, until comparatively recently, the main interest has always been the temporal measurement of conscious processes. Great tables of reaction times have been made; the effects of practice, fatigue, warning signals, strength of stimulus, etc., were worked out at great length, and their effects on the reaction times noted. Great elabora tion in technique was made, but small advance in introspective data, as to the constituents of the action consciousness itself. Introspection was used mainly as a check upon the experi ment, - telling the direction and degree of attention, etc. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.