GENERAL CONTROLS OF CONDUCT 7
fication, though, of course, it cannot be annulled. The in stincts are, then, and continue to be, most important factors in determining responses to the environment; but they are far from being so dominant as in the lower ranks of life, and do not act with anything like the same precision and invariability. It may be true, though the statement cannot be made dogmatically, that in the history of man s develop ment his instincts have on the whole become less definite, less rigid in the regularity and uniformity of their action, and more modifiable. With the higher development of the race they certainly do play a less dominant role as controls of conduct. This does not mean that they are destined to disappear with the continued advance of mankind; but that other controls of conduct will become relatively stronger.
III. Native dispositions form a distinct class of psychic phenomena. Sometimes they are classified as instincts ; but improperly so, unless instincts should be regarded as in cluding all inborn tendencies. It seems better not to con fuse them with instincts. The latter are definitely or ganized and specific nervous co-ordinations. Native dis positions are not; they are only general tendencies of the nervous constitution. One may, for instance, be conserva tive or radical ; irritable or placid ; thoughtful or heedless ; brilliant or dull; queer or normal, etc., etc. The disposi tions do not control conduct as the instincts do, by the automatic setting off of a pre-formed series of nervous co ordinations. When a disposition is active the specific motor responses may vary greatly according to other conditions; but the disposition will impart to the act its characteristic quality and direction. The conservative under the control of his disposition may perform a great variety of specific acts, many of which are similar to those of the radical whom he is opposing, but manifestly they have a very different meaning.
Some of the native dispositions are transmitted by heredity and some are not. Unquestionably many racial and family traits belong to this class of phenomena and are
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