The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-29
Psychology u Graze$ affecting men.

"A ANY observers have noticed a
striking difference between the
H conduct of an Individual and the
y conduct OF a mass or mob. A
man who. when governed directly
by his own reason, is pre-eminently law
abiding and rational, may throw paw
Ing stone through a street car window.
maui and pommel an inofrensive laboring
man. join in Wild ''mad-dog' chase.
yell like Comanche Indian or howl for
greenbacks or free silver while under the
influence OF the mob. Why IL the social
conduct OF human beings different from
their conduct as individuaiss This is the
problem of the new science OF social psy-
chology. and the manner In which sci-
ence attempts to treat this phenomenon
Is explained In an Instructive way In the
Popular Science Monthly by Prof q. T.
w. Patrick, Of the University OF Iowa.
This social psychology. Mr.. Patrick
explains, IL not the study OF any mysterf-
Gus entity called the ''socia, mind but
rather of the peculiar and characteris-
tic behavior of the mind OF the individual
when under the influence OF the social
afhatus.
To answer the question, In what ways
Is the behavior OF man as a social being
different from his behavior az an indivtd-
ualg Prof. Patrick examines him and his
conduct during mental epidcmies and
crates, II. for the sake OF comparisons
he says we first consider the normal i'm
dividual as such. we ind that he is a per-
ceiving, remembering. associating, judg-
Ing. rejecting reasoning being. that he IN
subject to certain feelings emotions, de-
sires and impulses. prompting him Ia ac-
ton: that his action Is more or less de-
Lucrative. and when II finally occurs. IL
the result OF a set OF motives determined
hx hr cpss ,hn
the outcome OF his heredity and educa-
ton and his general ability 10 appreciate
and reflect the moral ideals OF the social
order TO which he belongs
Studying his mental development
whether from the savage or the child, n II
found that the direction of change has
been away from Initiative. impuisive ac-
tion--toward thought. reflection, dciiber-
alton. He continually makes more use of
memory. and. anticipating the future, reg
uiates his action In the tight OF his past
experience This change from the imitat-
I've and fmpulslve to the reasoning man
accompanies the development Of his high
or brain centers.
II Is lutte possible. by way OF expert
ment. to reduce this highly developed
reasoning being In a single moment 20
condition resembling his primitive state by
means Of hypnotism. The subject becomes
a mere ideo-motor machine acting out
every suggestion. Those brain rentcrs
which represent the most recent acquire.
ment OF the race are temporarily out Of
the circuit A study OF the mind OF the
child shows that II presents many points
of likeness to the mind OF the hypnotic
subject and TO the mind of the primitive
man. I'VE are. therefore. not surpriaci
TO md that the child IKE the savage and
the hypnotic subject. In initiative, impuit
sive. nonrchectivc, incapable Of much alb.
stract thought, elaboration or reasanink
and that he acts with a view to ;,nme
diate rather than remote ends"
Prof. Patrick next turns 10 the behavior
Of the normal adult man IN epidemics ami
crazes If all kinds. He finds that from
the crusades to the massacre OF 81. bar
thvlomsw. from the tulip mania In MT
land to the Dewey welcome In New fork.
his behavior IL to some extent siniiiar 70
that Of the hypnotic subject. ani the
child. and the primitive man.
Mr.. Patrick describes tho general char
actsr OF mental action in cpidemics M roll
lows; Men become initiative beings, and
their actions are determined by sugges
tion from the actions Of others. Me.nory
and the association Of ideas are inactive.