Abstract
The problem of evolution and the nature of the psyche is one of the greatest scientific mysteries. It is impossible to understand the nature of the psyche without tracing its development from simple initial forms to complex and highly organized systems. I propose a holistic concept of the evolution of the psyche based on the development of the ability of animals to perceive three main types of motion inherent in nature, motions of the environment, objects, and animate subjects. I propose a hypothesis about the information structure of perception formed during evolution, which divides the incoming information flow into four elements, conditions of the environment, phenomena of the environment, properties of objects, and behavior of subjects. I show that Jung's psychic functions are manifestations of the elements of the information structure of perception, and individual differences at the basic level are due to differences in the processes of attention, memory, and consciousness within this structure. I claim that the presented information structure of perception is the “skeleton” of the psyche, on which it is built. Together with understanding the mechanisms of evolution of the psyche, it provides a solid theoretical basis for the psychology of perception and makes a breakthrough in the psychology of individual differences.
