Structured reflected sound is where sound waves are intentionally manipulated or shaped by objects in an environment, and the resulting echoes or reflections provide meaningful information about the properties of those objects. This process involves the interaction of sound waves with the surfaces, shapes, and materials of objects, which can lead to the identification of their size, shape, texture, distance, and other characteristics.
An example of how the brain uses structured reflected sound to perceive properties of silent objects can be found in echolocation used by certain animals, such as bats and dolphins. These animals emit high-frequency sound waves, often referred to as clicks or sonar pulses, into their environment. The sound waves travel through the air or water, and when they encounter objects, they bounce back as echoes. Humans are also able to use echolocation. According to our textbook,” Blind subjects are generally better at echolocating.”(Rosenblum, 2011).
By processing this information, they can determine the location, distance, and even the shape and texture of the objects in their surroundings. For instance, bats can navigate through complex environments and detect obstacles and prey. This ability showcases how the brain can use the structured reflected sound to create a mental representation of the objects in the environment, even without visuals.
Photo Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/echolocation
Hi Alyssa!
ReplyDeleteI found your post very informative. I was intrigued also in learning about a sommelier. Before reading about them in this course, I had no idea they existed. I love wine and it's so cool how there are masters of knowing about wine. It is also interesting how they can know everything about a wine just by smelling it or looking at it. Great post :)