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Picture of the Month (July 2010)
Dedicated User Captions:
1. study of the common expression after being confronted by Helmholtz with his "Froschpistole"
2. Automatic recording of Mrs. D.'s first reaction to her new haircut (by Udo W.)
3. WTF!

Read more captions (not voted, latest on top)

Fright
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) was a pioneer in the fields of physiological, social and cultural psychology whose extensive and varied knowledge finds exemplary expression in his encyclopaedic Völkerpsychologie (Social Psychology). It was published in a monumental edition of ten volumes, from 1900 on over the time span of twenty years. Covering distinct, yet related topics such as language, myths and laws, Wundt’s Social Psychology is also punctuated by intriguing images, such as the one displayed above.

In this picture, a disconcerted face evinces the sudden and intense agitation induced by the feeling of fright. The portrait also serves the purpose of typifying the facial expression that accompanies the corresponding mental state. It is illustrative of the growing interest on the experimental study of emotions prevalent among scientists at that time.

Related Items:

- Wundt, Wilhelm: Grundzüge der physiologischen Psychologie, all editions (1874 - 1911).

Picture Source:
Wundt, Wilhelm. 1904. Völkerpsychologie, Eine Untersuchung der Entwicklungsgesetze von Sprache, Mythus und Sitte, 1. Band: Die Sprache, 1. Teil. 2., umgearbeitete Auflage. Leipzig: Engelmann

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