And it is important to note that such expectations may be formed quite unconsciously.

In my dressing room, a certain can is usually kept full of water, and I am in the habit of lifting it to pour out water for washing.

Sometimes the servant has forgotten to fill it, and then I find that, when I take hold of the handle, the can goes up with a jerk.

Long association has, in fact, led me to expect the can to have a considerable weight; and, quite unawares, my muscular effort is adjusted to the expectation.
The process of strengthening generic memories of succession, and, at the same time, intensifying expectations of succession, is what is commonly called _verification_.

The impression B has frequently been observed to follow the impression A.The association thus produced is represented as the memory, A -> B.When the impression A appears again, the idea of B follows, associated with that of the immediate appearance of the impression B.If the impression B does appear, the expectation is said to be verified; while the memory A -> B is strengthened, and gives rise in turn to a stronger expectation.