Role of Kinaesthesia in Arousal and Learning Behavior

Abstract

This article presents a rationale of the significance of kinaesthesia. The development of arousal in the central nervous system is primarily peripheral and based on kinaesthesia. Consistent adaptive behavior results from adequate kinaesthetic perception and is the foundation for intersensory integration. Without kinaesthesia learning develops unevenly, as in children with learning disabilities. Inconsistent, bizarre behavior evident in psychopathology may result from inadequate, distorted kinaesthetic perception. Visual and auditory perceptual processes have been researched but the essential role of kinaesthetic perception has been neglected. The implications of adequate kinaesthesia are relevant to teaching and to psychotherapy.