Inquiry into the Structure of Mentation Processes

Abstract

Study of conditions conducive to breakdown of the human mentation system provides important clues to some basic mechanisms of this system. Sensory deprivation, sleep deprivation, solitary confinement, possibly even dreaming have in common greatly reduced sensory-input inventory and, specifically, lack of human contact or interchange. In these situations relative mental malfunction occurs, signalled by panic behavior, abnormal states such as paranoia, and hallucination. The present article explores the hypothesis that the deviant functioning of mentation under these and similar circumstances results from one particular type of deprivation—that of human interchange—and that such interchange is essential for the development and optimal maintenance of cognitive processes.