Here the variable should supposedly be the farther out; but we have V. 58, 20 for F. 40-60; V. 48, 40, 56 for F. 60; V. 64, 70, 87 for F. 80; no larger choice for F. 100-120; indeed, from this point on everything nearer, and very much nearer. We can trace in these cases, more clearly perhaps than in the preceding, the presence of definite tendencies. O and P, from positions in accord with the mechanical theory, approach the center rapidly; while C is seldom 'mechanical,' but very slowly recedes from the center. The large number of refusals to choose assures us that the subjects demand a definitely pleasant arrangement—in other words, that every choice is the expression of a deliberate judgment.
Taking again the experiments 1. (a) and 1. (b), and grouping the results for nine subjects, C, O, A, S, H, G, D, and P, we obtain the following general types of choice. The experiments were repeated by each subject, so that we have eighteen records for each position. I should note here that preliminary experiments showed that near the frame the threshold of difference of position was 10 mm., or more, while near the center it was 4 or 5 mm.; that is, arrangements were often judged symmetrically equal which really differed by from 4 to 10 mm., according as they were near to or far from the center. In grouping types of choice, therefore, choices lying within these limits will be taken as belonging to the same type.
Exp. 1. (a) F.(80 X 10). V.(160 X 10).
| 1. F. 40. | V. 40.¹ | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Types of Choice for V. | ||||||||||||
| (1) | 24 | 24 | 25 | 28 | ||||||||
| (2) | 40 | 42 | 45 | 45 | 40 | 40 | 40 | |||||
| (3) | 62 | 65 | ||||||||||
| (4) | 100 | 105 | 109 | 120 | 130 | 136 | 120 | |||||
| (5) | 166 | 180 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 160 | 160 | ||||
¹This table is obtained by taking from the full list, not given here, of 1. (b) F. (160 X 10), V. (80 X 10), those positions of 160 X 10 where the variable 80 X 10 has been placed at or near 40, thus giving the same arrangement as for 1. (a).
It might be objected that a group 40-65 (2-3) would not be larger than one of 100-136 (4), but the break between 45 and 62 shows the zones not continuous. Moreover, as said above, the positions far from the center have a very large difference threshold.
I. (a) 2. F. 80:—(1) 24, (2) 50, (3) 68 70, (4) 80 85 94 95 85, (5) 102 104 110 120 124 126 125* 132, (6) 187; also V. 80:—(2) 40 40, (4) 80, (5) 120 120, (6) 160 160.
I. (a) 3. F. 120:—(1) 44 46, (2) 64 48 70 70, (3) 85 95 97 91, (4) 113 113 118, (5) 168 169 178;—44, X; also V. 120:—(1) 40 40, (3) 80 80 80, (4) 120 120, (5) 160 160.
I. (a) 4. F. 160:—(1) 25 26, (2) 40 50 57, (3) 82 85 95 100*, (4) 114 115 130, (5) 145 145 156 162, (6) 196, (7)—88*—150*—105.
I. (a) 5. F. 200:—(1) 20 23 28 36, (2) 55, (3) 108 124 130*, (4) 171 189 199 195, (5) 220 230*, (6)—46—90—110*.