I call attention again to the fact that the numbers given above are in part rather inexact and that they were gained under very limited conditions. However, it is allowable to sketch summarily and with hypothetical elaboration the view which these results make appear to be the most probable explanation of an important group of inner processes and which fills pleasingly and completely a hitherto empty place in our knowledge.
With the imprinting and internal fixation of an idea-series through its manifold repetition, inner connections, associations, are woven between all the separate members of the series. The nature of these is such that series made out of members thus associated are picked up and reproduced more easily, with less resistance to be overcome, than similar series made up of members not previously associated. Their nature can also be stated in this way, that each member of the series has the definite tendency on its own return to consciousness to bring back others with it. These connections, or tendencies, are of different strength from several different points of view. For the more distant members of the original series they are weaker than for the nearer; for specific distances backwards they are weaker than for the same distances forward. The strength of all the connections increases as the number of repetitions increases. But the originally stronger threads between the nearer members are strengthened considerably more quickly than the weaker ones which connect the more distant terms. The more, therefore, the number of repetitions increases, the stronger, both absolutely and relatively, become the connections between immediately successive terms. To the same degree the more exclusive and dominant becomes the tendency of each term at its own return into consciousness to draw after itself that term which had always immediately followed it during the repetitions.
Section 42. Indirect Strengthening of Associations
I conclude with the mention of a noteworthy fact which appeared incidentally in connection with the investigations mentioned in the preceding paragraphs. On account of the uncertainty of the numerical results which come into consideration, I can call attention to it only with great reserve. I cannot, however, pass it by altogether because it is probable in itself, and
