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CONTENTS IN BRIEF
Welcome to Psychology in Your Life! Whether you are a teacher or a student, this
book will be a perfect fit for you. That’s because, unlike any other introductory
psychology textbook authors, we believe that teaching, learning, and improving are
all interconnected. Because of this, we have created every aspect of the textbook, all
of the teaching support tools, and the embedded assessments to ensure that they
work together seamlessly to create great educational experiences. We achieve this
goal for Psychology in Your Life by focusing on three ideas: 1. Helping both teachers
and students achieve educational excellence; 2. Using empirical research to develop
the best teaching and learning tools, and 3. Ensuring an inclusive approach to the
text, teaching tools, and assessment materials to honor all teachers and students.
USING EMPIRICAL RESEARCH TO DEVELOP THE BEST TEACHING AND LEARNING TOOLS ■ Ix
words,” or “I reread.” Yet research shows that these techniques do not support learn-
ing (Dunlosky et al., 2013). Unfortunately, students may never have been taught how
to read effectively and may not have read textbooks in high school. So how can a
textbook help students learn to read effectively? Psychology in Your Life uses several
evidence-based approaches, including:
USING EMPIRICAL RESEARCH TO DEVELOP THE BEST TEACHING AND LEARNING TOOLS ■ xI
• Providing easy-to-understand graphs of individual student performance
over time, by specific concepts and by question type, which helps teachers
check students’ mastery of the material either before class, where difficult
concepts can be discussed, or before quizzes and tests.
References
Anderson, L. W., Krathwohl, D. R., Airasian, R. W., Benassi, C. E. Overson, & C. M. Hakala
Cruikshank, K. A., Mayer, R. E., Pintrich, P. R., (Eds.). Applying the science of learning in
. . . Wittrock, M. C. (2001). A taxonomy for education: Infusing psychological science into
learning, teaching, and assessing: A revision the curriculum (pp. 45−58). Retrieved from
of Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives. http://teachpsych.org/ebooks/asle2014/
New York, NY: Addison Wesley Longman, index.php
Inc. Naceur, A., & Schiefele, U. (2005). Motivation
American Psychological Association. (2013). and learning—the role of interest in
APA guidelines for the undergraduate construction and representation of text
psychology major: Version 2.0. Retrieved and long-term retention: Inter- and
from http://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/ intraindividual analyses. European Journal of
undergrad/index.aspx Psychology of Education, 20(2), 155–170.
Bertsch, S., & Pesta, B. J. (2014). Generating Narloch R., Garbin, C. P., & Turnage K. D. (2006).
active learning. In V. A. Benassi, C. E. Benefits of prelecture quizzes. Teaching of
Overson, & C. M. Hakala (Eds.), Applying Psychology, 33, 109–112.
the science of learning in education: Infusing Nguyen, K., & McDaniels, M. A. (2014). Potent
psychological science into the curriculum techniques to improve learning from the text.
(pp. 71−77). Retrieved from http:// In V. A. Benassi, C. E. Overson, & C. M. Hakala
teachpsych.org/ebooks/asle2014/index.php (Eds.), Applying the science of learning in
Carpenter, S. K. (2012). Testing enhances the education: Infusing psychological science into
transfer of learning. Current Directions in the curriculum (pp. 104−117). Retrieved from
Psychological Science, 21, 279–283. http://teachpsych.org/ebooks/asle2014/
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & index.php
Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in Pennebaker, J. W., Gosling, S. D., & Ferrell, J. D.
verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative (2013). Daily online testing in large classes:
synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132, Boosting college performance while reducing
354–380. achievement gaps. PLOS ONE 8(11): e79774.
Drabick, D. A., Weisberg, R., Paul, L., & doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0079774
Bubier, J. L. (2007). Keeping it short and Pusateri, T., Halonen, J., Hill, B., & McCarthy, M.
sweet: Brief, ungraded writing assignments (Eds.). (2009). The assessment cyberguide
facilitate learning. Teaching of psychology for learning goals and outcomes. Washington,
(Columbia, Mo.), 34(3), 172−176. D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Pyc, M., Agarwal, P. J., & Roediger, H. L. (2014).
Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Test-enhanced learning. In V. A. Benassi, C. E.
Improving students’ learning with effective Overson, & C. M. Hakala (Eds.), Applying
learning techniques: Promising directions the science of learning in education: Infusing
from cognitive and educational psychology. psychological science into the curriculum
Psychological Science in the Public Interest, (pp. 78−90). Retrieved from http://teachpsych
14, 4−58. .org/ebooks/asle2014/index.php
Elbow, P., & Sorcinelli, M. D. (2005). How to Regan, R. A. R. (2015). Three investigations
enhance learning by using high-stakes and of the utility of textbook technology
low-stakes writing. In McKeachie, W. J., & supplements. Psychology Learning &
Swinicki, M. (eds.), McKeachie’s Teaching Teaching, 14, 26–35.
Tips: Strategies, Research, and Theory for Roediger, H. L., III, & Karpicke, J. D. (2006). The
College and University Teachers (12th ed., power of testing memory: Basic research
pp. 192−212). Retrieved from https:// and implications for educational practice.
scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent Psychological Science, 1, 181–210.
.cgi?params=/context/peter_elbow/article/ Tokuhama-Espinosa, T. (2010). Mind, brain, and
1004/type/native/&path_info= education science: A comprehensive guide
Hattie, J. A. C., & Yates, G. C. R. (2014). Using to the new brain-based teaching. New York:
feedback to promote learning. In V. A. Norton.
ENSURING AN INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO THE TEXT, TEACHING TOOLS, AND ASSESSMENT MATERIALS ■ xIII
• For novice teachers who are looking to learn about pedagogies that
increase active learning, or for experienced teachers who are excited to
add to their pedagogical toolboxes, we have created the Enhanced Lecture
PowerPoints with Active Learning slides, which include in-class activities
and demonstrations as well as examples of different types of engaging
activities, such as Think-Pair- Share, Quick Writes, and Did You Get It?
comprehension questions.
• We have designed the new HIP Guide, or High-Impact Practices: A Teaching
Guide for Psychology to support both novice teachers and experienced
instructors who want to learn more about evidence-based pedagogies they
can use in their classes as well as provide information about professional
development opportunities.
“Psychology in Your Life • To help teachers develop excellent online and hybrid courses, we provide
materials that can be used flexibly in those formats, such as the Concept
is a great book. It has
Videos and the Student Demonstration Videos, and we ensure that all of
definitely helped me
these meet the current requirements for accessibility for all students.
see psychology in my
• We have developed many ways for teachers to embed assessments
life and understand how
into their courses, through InQuizitive, various quizzes (pre-
psychology can help me
lecture, post-lecture, and Student Demonstration Video quizzes),
in my future career as a and through the Test Bank, so teachers can easily capture
teacher.” information about student performance and learning for their
—Thipachan (Mia) institutions.
Radanavong, introductory • Lastly, teachers worry about keeping costs for their students as
psychology student low as possible, so we provide several cost-effective textbook
options: paperback, notebook, and ebook.
In summary, Psychology in Your Life is not just a textbook. Instead, we have devel-
oped an evidence-based pedagogical system with an integrated approach to teach-
ing, learning, and improving that supports teachers and students from diverse
backgrounds and with different identities and experiences. We hope that you will
enjoy this newest edition of Psychology in Your Life, and the support materials, as
much as the 100,000-plus other people who are using them.
ENSURING AN INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO THE TEXT, TEACHING TOOLS, AND ASSESSMENT MATERIALS ■ xv
Introducing the Third Edition
Psychology in Your Life has been developed based on evidence-based principles
that help teachers support student learning. Because of this, the textbook and the
integrated support materials are continuously updated to reflect new research find-
ings and pedagogical input from introductory psychology teachers who are using
the materials. Guided by the best practices in teaching, learning, and improving, the
third edition of Psychology in Your Life has been updated in several important ways.
1. Every chapter has been revised and updated. Comments from review-
ers, our teaching colleagues, and our students have helped us ensure that
“I would describe this every chapter in the textbook is as accurate and compelling as possible. First,
book as very student we added information on new topics that are becoming important in
centered and friendly. A the field of psychology. Second, we cited the most recent psychological
lot of thought was given research for the topics discussed in each chapter. Third, we updated the
references to popular culture to keep our discussions and images fresh.
to making psychology
Fourth, we revised the support materials for teachers and students
relevant for students.
so they align perfectly with the changes in the textbook. As a result
There are lots of
of these changes, this new edition of Psychology in Your Life provides
thought provoking teachers and students with the best, most up-to-date information on
questions to engage psychological research and current events related to psychology, along
the student, the chapter with excellent new interactive ways for students to engage with the material.
summaries provide the 2. Content has been organized into concise, goal-directed study
important points, and units. This new format supports the needs of underprepared readers by
there are lots of headings chunking text information into shorter sections that are linked with specific
and subdivisions to help Learning Goals. For example, frequent pauses in the text provide opportu-
organize the information. nities for additional Learning Goals, so more concepts are covered by the
This text actually Learning Goals. This also provides an opportunity for additional Learning
positions students to be Goal Activities, which support even stronger development of reading and
writing skills.
successful!”
3. Opportunities for active learning have been increased in every
—Krishna Stilianos, Oakland chapter. In the third edition, we have also increased active learning. We
Community College,
placed red Q questions throughout every chapter and placed Self-Quiz
Highland Lakes Campus
questions at the end of each chapter to increase likelihood students would
use them. We also updated the active learning aspects of two of the book’s
pedagogical features, Evaluating Psychology in the Real World boxes and
The Methods of Psychology figures, to include updated questions for
students to think about and answer, either as homework or while in class.
Finally, because our students have incredibly diverse reasons for being in
college, we highlight how psychology can be useful in so many careers by
adding a new feature, Putting Psychology to Work.
4. Terms, examples, photos, graphics, and support materials have
been revised to reflect the diversity of students and teachers. Since
the conception of Psychology in Your Life, we have ensured that examples,
photos, graphics, and support materials are inclusive and reflect today’s
students in all their variety. In addition, terminology has been updated, such
as in regard to sex, gender, and sexuality.
5. InQuizitive has been updated with new active-learning questions.
Throughout InQuizitive, new questions provide students with opportunities
for repeated practice online. These questions are aligned with the textbook’s
study units, such as in their use of terminology. In addition, InQuizitive
includes questions about the Concept Videos.
Paul Abramson, University of California, Los Angeles Christine L. Grela, McHenry County College
Carol Anderson, Bellevue College Christine Harrington, Middlesex County College
Romina Angeleri, University of New Mexico Marissa A. Harrison, Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg
Sarah K. Angulo, Texas State University Laura Hebert, Angelina College
Nicole Arduini–Van Hoose, Hudson Valley Community College Byron Heidenreich, Illinois State University
Michelle Bannoura, Hudson Valley Community College Carmon Hicks, Ivy Tech Community College Northeast
Nicole Barbari, Chaffey College Jessica C. Hill, Utah Valley University
Holly Beard, Midlands Technical College Debra A. Hope, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Dan Bellack, Trident Technical College David A. Houston, University of Memphis
Richard Bernstein, Broward College Tasha Howe, Humboldt State University
John H. Bickford Jr., University of Massachusetts Amherst Karin Hu, City College of San Francisco
David Biek, Middle Georgia State University Sandra Hunt, College of Staten Island
Phaer Bonner, Jefferson State Community College Malgorzata Ilkowska, Georgia Institute of Technology
Carol Borden, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Benetha Jackson, Angelina College
Allison Burton-Chase, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Mike James, Ivy Tech Community College Northeast
Sciences Rhonda Jamison, University of Maine at Farmington
Pamela Case, Richmond Community College Mary Johannesen- Schmidt, Oakton Community College
Diana Ciesko, Valencia Community College Jennifer Johnson, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Scott Cohn, Western State Colorado University Jeffrey Jourdan, Ivy Tech Community College Northeast
Kevin Conner, Liberty University Tyson Keiger, Utica College
Barbara Corbisier, Blinn College Deborah P. Kelley, Tyler Junior College
Andrew Corr, Kirkwood Community College, Iowa City Campus Patricia Kemerer, Ivy Tech Community College Northeast
Jennifer E. Dale, Community College of Aurora Lynnel Kiely, Harold Washington College
Jubilee Dickson, Chicago State University Andrew Kim, Citrus College
Dale Doty, Monroe Community College Yuthika Kim, Oklahoma City Community College
Gina Dow, Denison College Andrew Knapp, Finger Lakes Community College
Michael Dudley, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville Karen Kwan, Salt Lake Community College
Sarah Estow, Guilford College Caleb W. Lack, University of Central Oklahoma
Laura Flewelling, Johnston Community College Marianne LaFrance, Yale University
Shannon Gadbois, Brandon University Rachel L. Laimon, Charles Stewart Mott Community College
Andrew C. Gallup, SUNY, College at Oneonta Sadie Leder-Elder, High Point University
Rebecca Gazzaniga, University of California, Santa Barbara Katie W. Lewis, Pensacola State College
Ericka M. Goerling, Portland Community College Sheryl Leytham, Grand View University
Gregg Gold, Humboldt State University Debbie Ma, California State University, Northridge
Jeffrey Green, Virginia Commonwealth University Pam Marek, Kennesaw State University
Jerry Green, Tarrant County College District
Robin Musselman, Lehigh Carbon Community College James W. Sturges, California State Polytechnic University,
Pomona
Hayley Nelson, Delaware County Community College
Laura R. Terry, Grand Canyon University
Ronn Newby, Des Moines Area Community College
Margot Underwood, Joliet Junior College
Victoria Noriega, University of Miami
Lisa Wade, Occidental College
Arthur Olguin, Santa Barbara City College
Rebecca Walker- Sands, Central Oregon Community College
David Payne, Wallace Community College
Christopher Warren, California State University, Long Beach
Jeffrey J. Pedroza, Santa Ana College
Marti Weaver, Eastfield College
Paul Romanowich, University of Texas at San Antonio
Matthew Webster, Blinn College
Carin Rubenstein, Pima Community College
Nambrath Rajkumari Wesley, Brookdale Community College
Laura L. Scaletta, Niagara County Community College
Glenda Williams, Lone Star College
Patricia Schiml, Wright State University
Keith Williams, Oakland University
Kathleen Schmidt, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Chrysalis L. Wright, University of Central Florida
Ines L. Segert, University of Missouri
John William “Jay” Wright, Washington State University
Randi Shedlosky- Shoemaker, York College of Pennsylvania
Andrea Zabel, Midland College
Aya Shigeto, Nova Southeastern University
Anna Clare Zaborowski, San Jacinto College, Central
Matt Shively, Wright State University
The Norton Team To realize a vision, you must take a first step. For Psychol-
ogy in Your Life, the first step was a leap of faith, when W. W. Norton & Co. saw the
possibilities of what this project could bring to teachers and students. As the oldest
and largest independent publishing company, Norton has created some of the best-
respected and iconic books in modern times. The excellence of these works makes
Norton stand out as a beacon among publishers. Because the company is wholly
owned by its employees, the employees are the heart and soul of this excellence.
Psychology in Your Life exists because of the extraordinary contributions of so
many people at Norton. At the top of the list is Sheri Snavely, the editor of Psychol-
ogy in Your Life. When Sarah and Sheri first discussed this project, many publishing
companies were interested in taking a new approach to developing evidence-based
educational products. While representatives from many companies wanted to hear
about this project, Sheri wanted to learn about it through experience. She asked
to sit in on Sarah’s introductory psychology class. No one from another company
had asked to do that, but Sheri needed to see if Sarah was a teacher who actually
“walked the walk” of supporting student learning in class. That hands-on approach
enabled Sheri to see the value in the vision. Sheri’s leadership and guidance have
provided a constant star to keep us oriented in the right direction. She has our utter
gratitude, respect, and admiration. Assistant editor Eve Sanoussi managed the
review program, created art manuscripts, and kept the project running smoothly.
She also helped ensure that the book’s illustration program is inclusive—reflecting
today’s students in all their variety.
CONTENTS ■ xxI
2 The Role of Biology in Psychology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
How Does Your Nervous System Affect You? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
2.1 Your Nervous System Is the Basis of Your Mental Activity and Behavior ... 47
USING PSYCHOLOGY IN YOUR LIFE: How Can You Succeed if You Have a
Learning Disability? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
2.2 Neurons Communicate with Each Other in Your Nervous System . . . . . . . . . . 50
LEARNING TIP: Communication from Presynaptic Neuron to Postsynaptic
Neuron. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
2.3 Neurotransmitters Influence Your Mental Activity and Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
3 Consciousness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
What Does It Mean to Be Conscious? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
3.1 Consciousness Is Your Subjective Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
LEARNING TIP: Understanding Objectivity and Subjectivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
3.2 Consciousness Results from Brain Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
3.3 Consciousness Involves Attention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
THE METHODS OF PSYCHOLOGY: Change Blindness Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
3.4 Unconscious Processing Sometimes Affects Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
How Does Sleep Affect Consciousness? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
3.5 Consciousness Changes During Sleep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
3.6 People Dream While Sleeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
3.7 Sleep Is an Adaptive Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
3.8 Sleep Disorders Are Relatively Common Throughout Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
xxII ■ CONTENTS
USING PSYCHOLOGY IN YOUR LIFE: How Can You Develop
Better Sleep Habits? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
CONTENTS ■ xxIII
5 Sensation and Perception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
How Do Sensation and Perception Affect You? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
5.1 Your Senses Detect Physical Stimuli, and Your Brain
Processes Perception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
5.2 There Must Be a Certain Amount of a Stimulus for You to Detect It . . . . . . 175
6 Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
How Do You Learn? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
6.1 You Learn from Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
6.2 You Learn in Three Ways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
LEARNING TIP: Types of Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
6.3 Your Brain Changes During Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Tzŭ Hsi lived in these Apartments for some time after the death of T’ung-Chih.
“In spite of the arduous duties of the State, which have fully
occupied my time, I was naturally of robust constitution and
had therefore fully expected to attain to a good old age and to
enjoy the Emperor’s dutiful ministrations. Yesterday, however,
I was suddenly stricken with a slight illness and His Majesty
thereupon commanded his physician to attend me; later His
Majesty came in person to enquire as to my health. And now,
most unexpectedly, I have had a most dangerous relapse. At
7 p.m. this evening I became completely confused in mind and
now all hope of my recovery appears to be vain. I am forty-
five years of age and for close on twenty years have held the
high position of a Regent of the Empire. Many honorific titles
and ceremonies of congratulation have been bestowed upon
me: what cause have I therefore for regret?”
“Our country has not yet returned to its wonted stability, and
its affairs are still in a critical state. There is chaos in the
Government and a feeling of insecurity amongst the people. It
is, therefore, of the utmost importance that there should be
competent statesmen at the head of affairs, and that our
Grand Council should be an efficient pivot and centre of
administration.
“Prince Kung, at the outset of his career, was wont to
render us most zealous assistance; but this attitude became
modified, as time went by, to one of self-confident and callous
contentment with the sweets of office, and of late he has
become unduly inflated with his pride of place, displaying
nepotism and slothful inefficiency. On occasions when we
have urged the Grand Council to display zeal and single-
hearted devotion to the State, he and his colleagues have
ruthlessly stuck to their preconceived ideas, and have failed
to carry out our orders, for which reason they have more than
once been impeached, either on grounds of obstructiveness
or general uselessness. It has even been said of them that
their private lives are disreputable, and that they have dared
to recommend persons for high office from improper and
corrupt motives.
“The House-laws of our Dynasty are most severe, and if
there were any truth in the accusations of treason that have
been made against Prince Kung, we should not hesitate for a
single moment to inflict upon him the extreme penalty of the
law. We do not believe, however, that he can have dared to
act in the manner suggested. We set these aside, therefore,
and will deal only with the other charges to which we have
referred, and for which there would appear to be good
foundation. They are in themselves more than sufficient to
cause the gravest injury to the State, and if we continue to
treat the Prince with leniency, how shall we justify ourselves
hereafter in the eyes of our glorious ancestors? We shall incur
no small blame in the eyes of posterity, and when the day
comes for the Emperor to take over charge of the
Government there can be no doubt that he would be likely to
fail, under such conditions, to shed lustre, by his reign, on the
Dynasty.
“If we were to make public even one or two of the accusing
Memorials that have reached us, it would be impossible for
us, on grounds of privilege, to extenuate the Prince’s faults,
and we should be forced to cashier several of our senior
advisers. In the magnanimity of our heart we shrink, however,
from any such drastic steps, being moved to deep
compassion at the thought that Prince Kung and his
colleague, the Grand Secretary, Pao Yün, should have served
us so long and now have come to deserve our stern censure
and severe punishment. We are prompted to leniency by
remembrance of the fact that Prince Kung suffers from a
complication of diseases, while Pao Yün has reached an
advanced old age. In recognition of their past merits we have,
therefore, decided that their good fame may be left to them,
and remain unsullied for the rest of their days. As a mark of
our Imperial clemency we have decided to permit Prince Kung
to retain his hereditary Princedom, together with all the
emoluments thereof, but he is hereby deprived of all his
offices, and the double salary which he has hitherto enjoyed
is withdrawn. He is permitted to retire into private life and
attend to the care of his health.
“As regards the Grand Secretary, Pao Yün, he also is
allowed to retire from public life, retaining his present rank
and titles. As for Li Hung-tsao,[42] who has been a member of
the Council for many years, his narrow views and lack of
practical experience have caused him to fail completely in his
duties. Finally, Ching Lien, the President of the Board of War,
seems to think that his duties are satisfactorily performed by
adherence to a routine of procrastination, the man being
devoid of the first elements of knowledge. Both these officials
are hereby relieved of their posts, to be employed in lower
positions hereafter. Weng T’ung-ho, the President of the
Board of Works, has only recently been appointed a member
of the Council, at a time of serious complications, and has, so
far, taken no active part in its proceedings. He therefore
escapes censure or penalty. As a mark of our consideration
we hereby remove him from his post on the Grand Council,
but permit him to retain his position on the Board of Works,
and he will continue his services as Tutor to the Emperor.”
“For a long time past we have been quietly observing the
behaviour and general tendencies of Prince Kung and his
colleagues, and we are quite convinced in our mind that it is
useless to look to them for any activity or awakening of their
petrified energies. If they were retained in office, we firmly
believe that they would end by incurring severe punishment
by causing some really serious disaster to the State. For this
reason we now content ourselves with mild censure from a
sense of pity, as a measure of precaution. It is not because of
any trivial misdemeanour, or because of the impeachment by
Censors that we thus dismiss from office a Prince of the
Blood and these high Ministers of our Government, nor is our
action taken on any sudden impulse and without full
consideration.”
As the result of this Decree, Prince Kung retired from the scene, to
remain in unemployed obscurity until 1894, when, after the first
disasters of the war with Japan, Tzŭ Hsi, older and wiser, turned to
him once more for assistance. He never completely regained the
influence with the Empress which he had enjoyed in the earlier days
of the first Regency, but after his return to office until his death in
1898, his prestige, especially among foreigners, was great. Tzŭ Hsi,
though she loved him not, was forced to admit that he had accepted
and borne his degradation with dignity.
After the issue of the above Decree, Prince Kung was succeeded
in office by Prince Li, the head of the eight Princely families and a
descendant of a younger son of Nurhachu. With him were
associated on the Grand Council, amongst others, the elder brother
of Chang Chih-tung and Sun Yu-wen.[43] The latter was a bitter
enemy of the Imperial Tutor, Weng T’ung-ho. In appointing him to the
Council, Tzŭ Hsi followed her favourite tactics of creating dissension
among her advisers and maintaining the equilibrium of her own
authority as the resultant of their conflicting forces.
Her Majesty’s next step aroused a storm of opposition and
criticism. She decreed that in all matters of urgency, the Grand
Council, before advising the Throne, should confer with the
Emperor’s father, Prince Ch’un, but added that upon the Emperor’s
attaining his majority, she would issue further instructions on this
subject. This was not only an entirely new and irregular departure,
since it made the Emperor’s father de facto head of the executive,
but it implied the possibility of violation of the solemn pledges given
to the nation in 1875, as to the provision of an heir to the Emperor
T’ung-Chih. Fears were once more aroused in an acute form that
Prince Ch’un might hereafter persuade his son to ignore the
ancestral claims of the late Emperor, and thus constitute the house
of Ch’un founders of a new line. The Prince would have great
inducement to adopt this policy, as it would confer upon him and
upon his wife (Tzŭ Hsi’s sister) Imperial rank during their lives and
Imperial honours after their death. The reign of T’ung-Chih would in
that case be practically expunged, going down to posterity
dishonoured as the ignominious end of the senior branch of the Ta
Ching Dynasty, and the Yehonala clan would become of paramount
influence. A wide field would thus be left for future dissensions,
treasons, stratagems and Court intrigues. In fact the position thus
created would be somewhat similar to that which arose from the
rivalry of the Houses of York and Lancaster in English history.
An Imperial Clansman, named Sheng Yü, and other scholars,
memorialised in the most urgent terms praying the Empress to
cancel this appointment and suggesting that if Prince Ch’un’s advice
were really needed, it should be given to herself direct and not to the
Grand Council. The writers advanced numerous arguments, all
calculated to save the face of Prince Ch’un while preventing him
from accepting the position. They doubted whether his health would
stand the strain, and whether the duties of the post were consistent
with his high calling; at the same time they foresaw that a post which
practically conferred the powers of a Dictator must undoubtedly
make him unpopular, a result which Her Majesty herself would be the
first to deplore.
Besides, had not the Emperor Chia-Ch’ing declared (in 1799) that
Princes of the Blood were not eligible for service on the Grand
Council, except in cases of urgent and exceptional emergency?