1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Parallelism, Psychophysical

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6150391911 Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 20 — Parallelism, Psychophysical

PARALLELISM, PSYCHOPHYSICAL, in psychology, the theory that the conscious and nervous processes vary concomitantly whether or not there be any causal connexion between them; in other words “ that modifications of consciousness emerge contemporaneously with corresponding modifications of nervous process ” (Stout). The theory is the third possible alternative in considering the relation between mind and body, the others being interaction and one-sided action (e.g. materialism). It should be observed that this theory is merely a statement, not an explanation. (See Psychology.)