The Physiological Basis of the Neuroses

Abstract

In many ways in physiology and psychology one sees evidences of “patterns.” Sensory stimuli are usually received as a pattern and most motor responses take the form of a clear-cut pattern of movements. The majority of the reactions in the central nervous system are concerned with patterns of impulses rather than a single nerve impulse. It is suggested that when two patterns meet, the interaction is subject to two definite laws:— (1) Similar patterns integrate and become one pattern, the differences between them building up to a new pattern. (2) Dissimilar patterns are dealt with by the complete acceptance or establishment of one pattern and the total rejection of the other. Examples are given to illustrate these two laws. It is suggested that whether two patterns are treated as similar or dissimilar will depend on: (1) The nature of the patterns themselves and; (2) the state or type of the nervous system. It is suggested that in the neuroses, what is really happening is that the person is treating as dissimilar certain patterns which are usually considered to be similar. Clinical applications are discussed.