On emotions

considerations from the organismic point of view

pp. 425-438

in: Kurt Goldstein, Selected papers/ausgewählte Schriften, Berlin, Springer, 1971

Abstract

Emotions are usually regarded as conditions the psychological causes of which have a disorganizing effect on the activity the organism may be engaged in at the time. Behavior is disturbed, and effective adjustment is said to be more or less impeded. The condition includes changes in observable behavior, certain visceral phenomena, and a definite affective experience. These characteristics are often attributed to a weakening or loss of cerebral control.