In this simple process of adjustment there are clearly involved the four stages referred to above, as follows:
1. The Problem.—The forming of a curved letter by means of straight sticks.
2. A Selecting Process.—Selecting of the ideas straight and curved and the fixing of attention upon them.
3. A Relating Process.—An organization of the selected ideas into a new experience in which the curve is viewed as made up of a number of short, straight lines.
4. Expression.—Working out the physical expression of the new experience in the actual forming of capitals involving curved lines.
Example from Arithmetic.—An analysis of the process by which a child learns that there are four twos in eight, shows also the following factors:
1. The Problem.—To find out how many twos are contained in the vaguely known eight.
2. A Selecting Process.—To meet this problem the pupil is led from his present knowledge of the number two, to proceed to divide eight objects into groups of two; and, from his previous knowledge of the number four, to measure the number of these groups of two.