Automatism

AUTOMATISM, a feature of the motor manifestations of an organism, characterized by the fact that the latter arise from an internal impulse, but occur without the control of will or consciousness. The most important signs of automatic acts are: 1) their spontaneity, i.e., apparent independence from external promptings, and 2) a certain degree of mechanical nature (stereotyped repeatability of their performance). Such are, first of all, the so-called involuntary movements, especially those such as, for example, the movements of the heart, lungs, stomach, intestines, and other organs having smooth musculature, then actions performed without thought, out of habit, instinctively, or in states where consciousness is switched off. The occurrence of automatic acts of the latter kind is best explained by the action of conditioned (and sometimes unconditioned) reflexes based on the formation of learned abbreviated formulas of movements and actions (Kretschmer): from a series of elementary actions frequently repeated in a certain sequence, habits are formed through exercise, which acquire semi-reflex independence; henceforth, the share of the properly conscious volitional act will amount to merely a general impulse, after which the series of actions, once activated, proceeds independently according to its own formula. It is a well-known fact that the correctness of such processes as dressing, eating, writing, habitual mechanical work, etc., can be disrupted by the intervention of conscious efforts that disturb the mechanical nature of their performance. In states of absent-mindedness or upon damage by a pathological process to the actively behavior-directing function of the psyche, favorable conditions are created for the unconscious emergence of impulses to actions. Psychic automatism is a state in which seemingly purposeful, sometimes very complex actions and deeds (e.g., journeys) are performed with the exclusion of normal consciousness, followed by amnesia (see). Phenomena of this kind are most frequently observed in hysterical and epileptic twilight states. Psychic automatism is considered one of the characteristic features of the behavior of those schizophrenics who feel themselves to be under the influence of an extraneous force. Its most striking manifestation in such cases must be considered impulsive acts performed against the very patient's will. Medullary automatism, see Protective reflexes. Automatic obedience is the unconscious execution of actions suggested from the outside directly or indirectly, a symptom of cataleptic and catatonic states. These include: waxy flexibility, echolalia, echopraxia (see), etc. Automatic writing is the ability displayed by some persons, while concentrating active attention on something else (for example, conversation or counting), to simultaneously write more or less

Figure 2. Automatic circuit breaker.

sensible words and phrases without the visible participation of consciousness and will, i.e., automatically. During the period of the development of the doctrine of hypnosis, and especially in connection with completely unscientific spiritualist fads, automatic writing aroused somewhat exaggerated interest. At the root of automatic writing lies a greater or lesser degree of "splitting" of personality (hysteria).