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Experimental Studies of Rhythm, Anxiety and Cerebral Vigilance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 February 2018

Ian Oswald*
Affiliation:
From the Institute of Experimental Psychology and the Department of Physiology, University of Oxford

Extract

In a recent book, Sargant (1957) has discussed many examples of human beings who, after brief or prolonged mental tension, including terror, underwent a sort of reactive collapse into a state which, in its extreme form, was one of stupor. Sargant interpreted these reactions in terms of a physiology derived from Pavlov, particular emphasis being laid on “transmarginal inhibition“—a variety of the “internal inhibition”, or “hypnosis” which Pavlov identified with sleep, and which was manifested by motor inertia and unresponsiveness to stimuli. Pavlov's dogs exhibited internal inhibition in response to monotonous stimulation of any kind (including repeated electric shocks); repeated non-reinforcement, disappointment, or non-fulfilment of the dog's expectations; delay in reinforcement; and, in experienced dogs, in response to being placed in the experimental situation (or having the stimulating electrode attached to the leg in the case of those given electric shocks).

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1959 

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