Page:Psychology and preaching.djvu/187

 ATTENTION 169

reason that there is where it is needed in the guidance of adjustment.

This is only another statement of the principle that in terest controls attention. The fundamental and all-inclu sive interest of life is adjustment, and hence the intrusion of a new object or situation into our experience, even though it may not connect itself with the specific purpose which is at the moment controlling conduct, will attract attention because it directly appeals to an interest which includes all others. Yet the specific and momentarily dominant pur pose may have so completely absorbed the consciousness that a new situation not connected with it would have to be of the most striking or pressing character to displace it from the focus, for instance, the case of the philosopher who was so deeply immersed in his speculation that his foot was thrust too near the fire and the sole of his shoe burnt off before he became aware of it. Concentration upon any act or process of adjustment is well, but there is a limit beyond which it may be injurious ; for life is the realization of interests through continuous adaptations, and our in terests are numerous and varied. There is a possibility, if we suffer attention to be too thoroughly monopolized by one interest, of sacrificing others of equal or greater im portance.

Third, from the foregoing it is apparent that attention is closely related to volition. Angell remarks that &quot; volition as a strictly mental affair is neither more nor less than a matter of attention. When we can keep our attention firmly fixed upon a line of conduct to the exclusion of all competitors, our decision is already made ! &quot; 1 When there is hesitation and difficulty in reaching a decision, it results from the fact that two or more incompatible lines of conduct are present in consciousness, which focalizes now upon one and now upon another. When focused upon one there is an impulse to act in that direction; then as the attention is drawn to the other a motor impulse to act along

1 &quot; Psychology,&quot; p. 345.

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