James (1899/1962) dispels the myth that apperception is a mystified element of psychology by explaining that it is simply the idea that every new perception is incorporated into all the pre-existing thoughts, feelings, and bits of knowledge. He explains the law of economy and how it factors into our preference to associate new information with the old, rather than feeling that something is totally new and foreign.
James again brings up the idea that older people are unable to learn new things. Previously he discussed it in the context of the ability to be curious, but now he adds that “the conceptions acquired before thirty remain usually the only ones we ever gain” (James, 1899/1962, p. 82). Furthermore, and in the passage that most concerns me, James (1899/1962) claims that “a new idea or a fact which would entail extensive rearrangement of the previous system of beliefs is always ignored or extruded from the mind in case it cannot be sophistically reinterpreted so as to tally harmoniously with the system” (p. 78). What frightens me so about this statement, if it is true, is the implications it brings for people’s acceptance of diversity and change. Let us set curiosity and knowledge aside for a moment; most would agree that accepting that there are diverse types of people and cultures in the world, and acknowledging that they are just as valid and meaningful as our own people or culture, are two important attributes that we need to have in order to function in our world. If James (1899/1962) is correct, there is no way that any “old fogies” (p. 79) could ever learn to accept anyone who is different into their minds. Are we truly incapable of allowing, or even forcing, ourselves to see new mindsets and learn new things? Does this really end at a certain age? James claims that every new perception is connected with those that already exist. What if we already have the notion in our minds that something new is not necessarily bad? Could not this supersede our innate habit to reject anything that is new or that does not fit into our preconceived notion? Could not the will, which we are about to discuss, come into play so that we can choose our thoughts and actions?
Ahhhh. Such good thinking in these blog posts! Let's not despair too much about James' comments on old fogies. But yes, let's be alarmed at the point he's trying to make here ... it DOES have implications for how open we are to new and diverse experiences. See a connection to the IAT and Blink here? Thank goodness (at least if James is right) that we do have some small amount of free will. That is, if we choose to use it.
ReplyDeleteYes, learning about the IAT and listening to Blink definitely brought up connections to James. Blink was especially reassuring for this worry; yes, we do have innate prejudices and "old-fogeyism," but no, we do not have to simply accept this. Very empowering.
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