Synesthesia

Synesthesia is when someone experiences one sense through another or at the same time. An individual with synesthesia could taste something specific when hearing a certain word their brain associates it with. For example, someone could hear the word house and taste chocolate. Though this type is less common, a more common experience would be seeing a specific color when look at a number. For those of us who are non-synesthesia, we still experience our senses working together when we smell food, and taste its flavor. So what causes synesthesia in certain individuals? Research shows that this may have genetic links, neurological factors, and even brain damage. Many famous individuals have claimed or have been suspected to have synesthesia like Billy Joel, Duke Ellington, and John Mayer which makes sense based on their careers.

 

'Imitation is the Highest form of Flattery'

    

    The phrase, 'imitation is a form of flattery' is pretty common. I've heard it while venting to friends whenever someone I know has copied my outfit, my nail color choices, my accessories, you name it. I've shared that phrase with my friends too, when they've faced the same. 

    However, imitation as I've recently learned, goes much further than copying a pair of shoes or a handbag. According to Rosenblum, "On a largely unconscious level, you are always imitating people. You can't help it."   

   Now, this is also different from imitating an interesting accent we hear on TV, or mimicking a broadway tune we enjoy. These are conscious choices we make to copy what we've just seen. The imitation that Rosenblum emphasizes is one I'd never heard of, but is responsible for what's called the 'chameleon effect'. Which means, the unconscious tendency to mimic other people. (Rosenblum, 2010)

    While the conscious mimicry can come across as either insulting, or as a true form of flattery, the unconscious mimicry increases connections and allows us to better interact with those around us. 

    I did find an interesting article in Psychology Today about the chameleon effect that mentioned that the more empathetic a person is, the more likely they are to mimic other people. (Degges-White, 2023) 

     So, if you find yourself wondering why someone is imitating you, take rest in knowing that it may in fact, be a form of flattery! 

 

- Luci

References

Rosenblum, L. D. (2010). See What I'm Saying: The Extraordinary Powers of Our Five Senses. W.W. Norton & Company 

 Degges-White, S. (2023, December 21). The Chameleon Effect: Why We Mirror Friends and Lovers. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lifetime-connections/202312/the-chameleon-effect-why-we-mirror-friends-and-lovers 

 

 

 

     

 

 

'You Can Smell Fertility'

  

    According to Rosenblum's book, fear as well as fertility and compatibility can all be smelled. The reason behind this pretty interesting fact, is pretty similar to the bliss we feel when we light a beautifully scented candle, or the disgust we feel when our sibling passes gas in our vicinity. 

     More specifically, men can smell when a woman is ovulating, and it activates the motivation related processing in their brains. This was proven through an experiment published in 2021. Habel et al (2021) share that, "ovulation odor was found to lead to a stronger involvement of the orbitofrontal cortex, the precuneus, the insula and also the temporal-limbic structures including the temporal pole and the amygdala." 

    This experiment also tested using the scent of pregnant women. So, while I sit hear four months pregnant myself, I am now adding to my list of worries, the scent I exude! 

    Thanks for reading! 

 

- Luci

References

Rosenblum, L. D. (2010). See What I'm Saying: The Extraordinary Powers of Our Five Senses. W.W. Norton & Company 

Habel, U., Regenbogen, C., Kammann, C., Stickel, S., Chechko, N. (2021). Male Brain Processing of The Body Odor of Ovulating Women Compared to that of Pregnant Women. NeuroImage, Vol (229). DOI 117733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.117733. 

'All The Dishes Lacked Flavor'

 

    After a dining experience in a pitch black restaurant with some of his companions, Lawrence D. Rosenblum, author of, 'See What I'm Saying', concludes his experience saying something that left me chuckling. He writes, "13 different dishes in all - lacked flavor". (p. 104) 

    As a Hispanic woman who grew up watching my great aunts and grandmother cook, I myself am now an avid cook, and lover of all foods. I can smell if the frying plantains are close to burning, I can feel when the dough for an arepa is ready to shape and cook, I can see when my sofrito is just the right color and consistency, and most importantly, I can hear when the coffee maker on the stove is about to boil over. 

    However, while I know from experience that how food smells, feels, and sounds is a good indicator of how it'll taste, I would not have always been able to explain why. Rosenblum covers this gap in knowledge throughout his book by stating that neurophysiological research supports the perceptions of flavor through other senses. He also emphasizes that eating, is a multi-sensory function. So, everything is working together to enhance the experience.  

    There is also a really informative article on Food Insight.org called, The Science of Taste, that explains this in detail. 

    Hopefully you're able to better appreciate all your senses working together to ensure you enjoy your next meal! 

- Luci

References

Rosenblum, L. D. (2010). See What I'm Saying: The Extraordinary Powers of Our Five Senses. W.W. Norton & Company 

Food Insight. (2018, March 13). The Science of Taste. https://foodinsight.org/the-science-of-taste/ 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

Environmental Awareness and Sensational Adaptation

 Our perception and behavior might be influenced by the continual adaptation of our senses to their surroundings. For example, we may unknowingly filter out cues such as the smell of our home or the background noise of a busy metropolis. By increasing our awareness of our sensory experiences, mindfulness practices can help us appreciate the little things in life. Taking the time to intentionally observe sights, sounds, and fragrances can improve our day-to-day existence. Designing our living and working environments with sensory adaptation in mind can help. Creating spaces with a good balance of sensory inputs can enhance wellbeing, comfort, and productivity.

The Influence of Touch on Emotional Bonding

 Touch is a potent sensation that is important for establishing emotional bonds and expressing empathy. Simple actions like a hug, handshake, or slap on the back are more effective than words when it comes to showing support and understanding. Whether in a personal or professional setting, incorporating adequate physical contact can reinforce friendships and provide emotional support. Understanding the significance of touch can aid in our comprehension of how physical contact affects mental health, particularly in situations like therapy and caregiving.

Communication Through Multisensory Integration

 We frequently use a variety of senses in our daily interactions in order to comprehend and communicate properly. For instance, in order to completely understand someone when we are speaking with them, we require visual signals such as lip movements, facial expressions, and body language in addition to hearing what they are saying. Understanding multisensory integration can improve our ability to communicate. To become more proficient communicators, we can work on making eye contact, paying attention to body language, and actively listening. We can concentrate on vocal tone and clarity in virtual meetings, when there are fewer visual signals, to make sure our messages are understood well.

Smell You Later

 

Thinking back to our natural scents and how this plays a role in who we're attracted to. I wonder if this impacts our choice of perfume/cologne. If you have a natural scent of spicy, do you opt for a spicy perfume or are you attracted to a sweet perfume? Which leads me to wonder, is the best cologne for you the one that pairs best with your natural scent type? After all the same cologne will smell different on everyone. 

Mountain Biking but Make It Blindfolded

 Daniel Kish and what he has accomplished, with what I assume is with the encouragement of his parents, is simply amazing. I agree that regardless of your (dis)ability you can and do whatever your heart says to do. Reading through the first chapter of our text, I was quite literally and remain amazed. I just don't think I could do it. For Mr.Kish and his friends this is their reality and they have so well adapted to and learned echolocation. I imagine if I were invited to mountain bike, anxiety alone would cause me to run into a tree and get very hurt. Now, I don't imagine Mr.Kish would put me on a bike with a blindfold immediately. Perhaps he would work with me to build up my skill before the real test, but for some reason I just don't know that I could trust myself. In the example of briskly walking down a hallway, while reading notes and drinking coffee I feel a lot more experienced. In fact, I may even be a pro at hallway navigation while not directly paying attention to where I'm headed. 

I'm wondering, what are your thoughts? 

Finally The End

 I'm not a person that could be considered an avid reader. Much like many of you, I enjoy short form content and YouTube videos. I love the occasional binge watching and I go down the random Reddit rabbit hole. Reading See What I'm Saying was painful. Do not get me wrong, I felt like certain topics were extremely interesting! Like Daniel Kish and the blind mountain bikers, Karl Wuensch experiencing anosmia and how that impacted him, learning about natural scent and how that plays a role in your attraction to others, and of course phantom limb. Other than that--not so much. I think it was a hard read with good parts and at this start of the course, I just never thought I'd be done! 

It wasn't until I got to chapter 11 that I was approaching the good part. I'm still amazed by how multisensory our perception really is. Up until reading this (reasonably) lengthy book, I had thought our five senses were just that. Individual senses that make our reality possible. I now in fact realize just how much they come together and even overcompensate when another is lost or temporarily taking a break. 

What were your honest reviews of the book?  

Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover, Judge it by it's Smell!

The smell of a person often indicates how likely they are to be judged by other people. People who smell better are often judged positively, with people who smell worse often judged poorly. While basic interactions are judged by the use of cologne or perfume, or the lack thereof, smell actually plays a more important role in life than just whether or not a person is worth interacting with. Everyone has their own unique smell, with people being able to tell the difference between sexes depending on their natural smell, as well as the body's symmetry.

Someone’s natural smell is often indicative of the “symmetry” of their body. Studies have shown that women typically go for men who smell more "symmetrical", as they often smell better than those who aren't. Symmetry is defined as having the same features on both sides of a person’s body. This is used subconsciously through sight and smell to help people find a healthy partner. It has been shown that people can smell how symmetric a person is, which increases their chances of a good relationship. Not only is it indicative of physical attraction, it also provides a way to more likely produce healthy children, in a way providing a level of natural selection.

While we aren't told to judge a person by their looks or what they wear, when it comes down to it, a person with higher symmetry is more likely to get into a relationship, because it indicates that their health is in better shape. Not only does it imply physical or mental health, but it helps indicate genetic health as well, having a significant less chance for any potential genetic deformities.

Work Cited

Rikowski, Anja, and Karl Grammer. “Human body odour, sym
metry and attractiveness.” Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, vol. 266, no. 1422, 7 May 1999, pp. 869–874, https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.1999.0717.

Rosenblum, Lawrence D. “Like Marvin Gaye for Your Nose.” See What I’m Saying, W. W. Norton & Company, New York City, New York, 2011, pp. 79-98.

Uncanny Valley

The Uncanny Valley is an emotional response to something human-like, but not quite human. While the most common examples are from video games and movies, there are theories as to why this emotional response appeared in the first place. Many people believe there was some threat to humans while they were evolving that caused this to develop, like a predator, or the dangers of a dead body if they came into constant contact with it.

Either way, that threat seems to have diminished almost entirely, and the effect is now mainly caused by attempts at entertainment through film, video games, and even folklore to an extent. One of the most prominent examples of this effect is through the 2004 animated movie The Polar Express. Made entirely from motion capture, many people felt as though the character's facial movements were creepy, and that they had emotionless eyes. Another popular example is Dwayne Johnson's character, "The Scorpion King," in the 2001 movie The Mummy Returns. Because the animation for his character was widely considered to be bad, it left many people feeling uncomfortable after watching it.

Not only this, but recent advances in robot technology has triggered this effect, in an attempt to make the robots appear more human-like or life-like. The same reasoning behind the movies and video games also goes along with the development of robots, with a popular robot being CB2, a robot made to look like a two year old. While it's missing a lot of the features of a typical human, many people believe the face still makes them feel uncomfortable, as it attempts to mimic behavior as well as facial movements.

Work Cited

Biba, Jacob. “17 Examples of the Uncanny Valley.” Built In, 16 Apr. 2024, builtin.com/robotics/uncanny-valley-examples.

Burnard, Eleanor, and Robert Lee III. “10 Worst Cases of the Uncanny Valley in Film.” Collider, 2 Jan. 2024, collider.com/worst-cases-of-uncanny-valley-movies/.

Rosenblum, Lawrence D. “Facing the Uncanny Valley.” See What I’m Saying, W. W. Norton & Company, New York City, New York, 2011, pp. 175–201.

Auditory Approach System

Technically speaking, humans have the ability to predict the future by using their senses to help determine what's around them. While it's not always accurate, it certainly helps to determine whether or not a situation is dangerous, especially in situations where it's warranted, like in war, hunting, or in a dangerous area. One of the abilities people have to help determine whether or not a situation is dangerous is the auditory approach system. Using sound, they develop their version of the "Spidey Sense", where they are able to sense potential danger and hopefully give them enough time to escape.

The auditory approach system is the use of hearing to determine whether or not a quick reaction is needed in a certain situation. It incorporates sounds from all around, and detects the presence of objects and living things. To help increase it's accuracy, it builds off of past sounds to see how fast something is going, how far away it is, and where it is. Not only is it helpful for quick thinking, it also helps to predict the future, by using it's speed and approximate location to determine where it's going, and if it is a threat. If it's moving towards the person, determining when it's going to be closest to them is key. Using these senses and cognitive abilities, it provides another level of protection and safety for people who need it.

One example of this is hunting. Hunters need a great deal of experience dealing with wild animals to be considered good, needing to use several senses to both hunt successfully and stay safe while doing so. Oftentimes they’d need to rely on more than just eyesight, so using hearing to tell what is going on in the present, as well as predict movements in the future is an important skill to have. Learning how to hear better, and how to hear the future in this case serves as a way to protect the hunters from harm.

   Work Cited

Mowbray, Mike. “SPIDEY SENSE.” Sixth Sense Abcderium, sixthsensereader.org/about-the-book/abcderium-index/spidey-sense/. Accessed 24 June 2024.

Rosenblum, Lawrence D. “Perfect Pitches, Beeping Pitches.” See What I’m Saying, W. W. Norton & Company, New York City, New York, 2011, pp. 29–56.

Out of Body Experiences

 Out of body experiences, a phenomenon in which an individual reports to have viewed oneself from outside of their own body, can often be seen in various pieces of fiction and media. Some famous examples are when magical or fantasy characters use astral projection, where their soul or astral body travels to another plane of existence. Other examples include near-death experiences, where individuals can sometimes report moments of their lives flashing before their eyes right before a potentially fatal accident. While OBEs have been a topic of fascination and mystery, most people tend to brush it off as mere pseudo-science. However, many studies suggest that OBEs may be a result of the brain's inability to properly integrate sensory information from the body and the environment. 

Many researchers also cite that the use of virtual reality machines can help simulate the experience of an out of body experience. I actually have an oculus quest, a device for virtual reality. Whenever I use it, I can definitely Get the feeling of being outside my own body. The device allows me to look around my room and even look at myself.

Blanke, O., Ortigue, S., Landis, T., & Seeck, M. (2002). Stimulating illusory own-body perceptions. Nature, 419(6904), 269-270.

When Almost Human Becomes Uncomfortable

 Have you ever seen a movie, video, or game where a character looked almost human, but there was just something about them that made you feel uneasy? This is known as the Uncanny Valley effect. This theory suggests that even though something can come off has human like, but not quite, the subtle differences creates an eerie feeling when looking upon it. 

Research on this subject suggests that the reasons to why we react so sharply to humanoid figures that appear off is mainly due to our evolutionary instinct to recognize potential threats. Our brains are capable of recognizing that something may be pretending to appear human, but is off by just a bit. The figure is not so wrong that it is clearly not human, nor is it so good that it is indistinguishable from humans, it is right on the line. 

http://academia.edu/2465121/Creepiness

Synesthesia: Exploring the Extraordinary Blend of Senses

 In the realm of sensory perception, there exists a phenomenon that challenges our traditional understanding of how the senses operate: synesthesia. Synesthesia is a rare condition where stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to involuntary experiences in another pathway. This unique neurological trait allows individuals to perceive the world in a way that intertwines senses, creating a tapestry of sensory experiences that go beyond the ordinary.

Imagine hearing music and simultaneously seeing colors dance before your eyes, or tasting a specific flavor and feeling the texture of shapes in your mind. These are just a few examples of how synesthesia manifests. While the exact mechanisms are still being studied, researchers believe that synesthesia involves atypical cross-activation between different brain regions that process sensory information.

Synesthesia can manifest in various forms, with some of the most common types including:

• Grapheme-Color Synesthesia: Associating letters, numbers, or words with specific colors.
• Sound-Color Synesthesia: Seeing colors in response to different sounds or music.
• Lexical-Gustatory Synesthesia: Tasting specific flavors or experiencing tastes in response to words or sounds.

These experiences are consistent and automatic for individuals with synesthesia, often beginning in childhood and remaining throughout their lives.

For synesthetes, their unique perception of the world offers a rich and vivid experience that blends sensory modalities in ways that can be both delightful and occasionally overwhelming. Artists, musicians, and writers with synesthesia often draw inspiration from their sensory perceptions, creating works that resonate with a depth of sensory richness that is unparalleled.

In recent years, synesthesia has garnered increasing interest from researchers across disciplines, including psychology, neuroscience, and cognitive science. Studies have sought to understand the genetic and neurological underpinnings of synesthesia, as well as its potential implications for understanding the broader mechanisms of sensory perception and cognition.

Synesthesia has also left its mark on culture and art, inspiring movements such as the Synesthesia Art Movement, where artists aim to capture and convey their synesthetic experiences through visual and auditory mediums. Musicians like Pharrell Williams and Billy Joel have spoken openly about their synesthetic experiences, describing how colors and shapes influence their musical compositions.

Synesthesia invites us to reconsider the boundaries of sensory perception and appreciate the diversity of human experience. While rare, it offers profound insights into how our brains construct reality through the intricate interplay of senses. By celebrating the extraordinary blend of senses in synesthesia, we not only expand our understanding of perception but also enrich our appreciation for the complex and multifaceted nature of human cognition. Whether you're fascinated by the intersection of art and neuroscience or simply curious about the wonders of perception, synesthesia invites us to explore a world where senses intertwine to create a symphony of perception unlike any other.

Sources: Book chapter highlights
https://synesthete.ircn.jp/home
https://www.apa.org/monitor/mar01/synesthesia.html
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/synesthesia

The Marvel of Multisensory Perception: How Our Senses Shape Reality

 Our experience of the world is not just shaped by what we see or hear individually but by the intricate interplay of all our senses working together. Multisensory perception, a fascinating area of study in psychology and neuroscience, explores how our brains integrate and interpret information from multiple sensory modalities to create a unified and coherent perception of our environment. Let's delve into this captivating phenomenon and uncover how multisensory perception influences our daily lives.

At its core, multisensory perception refers to the brain's ability to combine inputs from different senses—such as sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell—to form a holistic perception. Rather than operating in isolation, our senses collaborate synergistically to enhance our understanding and experience of the world. For instance, when we bite into a crisp apple, our brains seamlessly integrate the tactile sensation of crunchiness with the visual perception of its color and shape, the taste of its sweetness, and even the aroma that wafts through the air.

One classic example is how we perceive speech. When someone speaks to us, we not only hear the sound of their voice but also observe their lip movements and facial expressions. These visual cues complement auditory information, making speech comprehension more robust, especially in noisy environments. Multisensory perception also involves crossmodal effects, where stimuli from one sensory modality can influence perception in another modality. For instance, studies have shown that the color of a drink can influence perceived flavor intensity. A red-colored beverage may be perceived as sweeter compared to the same drink colored green, showcasing how vision can impact taste perception.

While we've made significant strides in understanding multisensory perception, challenges remain in unraveling its complexities. Factors such as individual differences in sensory processing, cultural influences, and the impact of technology on sensory experiences continue to be areas of active research.

Multisensory perception underscores the richness and complexity of human experience. By studying how our senses collaborate to construct our reality, researchers not only deepen our understanding of perception but also pave the way for innovations that enhance our interactions with the world. Whether you're savoring a gourmet meal, navigating a crowded street, or enjoying a piece of music, multisensory perception enriches our lives by providing a multidimensional lens through which we perceive and appreciate the beauty and diversity of our sensory world.

Sources: Course resources such as "See what I'm Saying" (chapter Highlights)
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnint.2013.00081/full

Lip reading in Baseball

 The ability to read lips, and infer what one is saying simply by observing the movement of the lips is a unique skill that few possess. Often times, especially in the realm of televised professional sports, the camera always pans to the players either interacting with each other, or arguing with the referees. But unless these players are equipped with a microphone, it is nearly impossible to tell what words are being said. 

Yet some people, such as Jimmy O'Brien, is capable of reading lips and infers what players are saying on his YouTube channel, Jomboy Media. Jimmy often makes videos breaking down baseball plays, where he creates lip readings based off of the camera footage during the game. 

Here are some of his best lip-reading breakdowns:

https://youtu.be/4D7uJ7s1DkQ?si=ax2Q8uD2UF2pa1lL

https://youtu.be/srWZ12XBWps?si=gvGturcm2sdZA0CG

(Note: there is a lot of foul language in professional baseball)

Many studies have shown that lip-reading involves complex brain processes. Specifically, the auditory cortices of the brain are activated when reading lips, even in the absence of sound. This suggests that the brain can synthesize auditory features based solely on visual input from lip movements. 

How Your Senses Shape the Taste of Food

 Food is not just sustenance; it's an experience that engages all our senses, influencing how we perceive flavors, textures, and even the enjoyment of a meal. In the realm of sensory psychology, understanding how our senses impact the taste of food reveals the intricate interplay between sight, smell, touch, and hearing in creating a delicious culinary experience.

They say we eat with our eyes first, and this rings true in the world of food perception. Visual cues play a significant role in shaping our expectations and appetites. The vibrant colors of fresh produce signal ripeness and quality, while the presentation of a dish can enhance its appeal. Studies have shown that foods perceived as visually appealing are often rated as tasting better, highlighting the power of sight in influencing our taste experiences.

Next comes the olfactory sense, which is closely intertwined with taste. When we smell food, aroma molecules travel to our olfactory receptors, triggering neural signals that contribute to flavor perception. In fact, much of what we perceive as taste actually comes from our sense of smell. This explains why foods can taste bland when we have a cold, as congestion diminishes our ability to smell and thus alters our perception of flavor. Texture plays a crucial role in how we experience food. The tactile sensations of crunchiness, creaminess, or juiciness provide valuable feedback to our brains, influencing our overall enjoyment. For example, the crispiness of potato chips or the smoothness of ice cream contributes significantly to our perception of these foods. Moreover, texture can evoke memories and emotions associated with certain foods, further enhancing our dining experience.

While less obvious, sound can also influence how we perceive food. The crunch of crispy foods like chips or the fizz of carbonated beverages can enhance our sensory experience and even affect our perception of freshness and quality. Researchers have explored how sound can alter taste perception, suggesting that background noise or music in a dining environment may subtly influence flavor preferences. One of the most fascinating aspects of sensory perception is crossmodal interaction—how different senses work together to create a unified experience. For instance, research has shown that the color of a beverage can influence perceived sweetness, with darker liquids often perceived as sweeter than lighter ones. Similarly, the shape and weight of utensils can affect flavor perception, demonstrating the intricate ways in which our senses collaborate to shape our culinary experiences.

It's essential to recognize that individual differences and cultural backgrounds also play a role in how we perceive food. What may be considered delicious in one culture might be perceived differently in another, influenced by upbringing, traditions, and exposure to diverse cuisines. Moreover, personal preferences and past experiences shape our food perceptions, contributing to the rich tapestry of culinary enjoyment. the taste of food is not merely a matter of flavors on the tongue but a symphony of sensory inputs that engage our sight, smell, touch, and even hearing. Understanding how our senses interact to shape taste perception enriches our appreciation of food and allows us to savor culinary experiences more fully. Whether you're a food enthusiast, a chef, or simply curious about the science of taste, exploring the multisensory aspects of food opens a world of discovery and enjoyment. So, next time you sit down for a meal, take a moment to appreciate how your senses come together to create a delicious feast for both body and mind.

Sources: "The Food Chain" and "Gastropod" podcasts
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-how-does-sight-smell-affect-taste/

Human Echolocation

We all know that bats, dolphins, whales, and birds use echolocation to communicate, hunt for food, and gauge directions. What I didn't know was that humans can also use echolocation to do similar tasks. Nathan Hurst's article on human echolocation explores how visually impaired people use their voices to understand their surroundings. His article surrounds an echolocation technique called "flash sonar," which uses echolocation in a similar way to a flashlight. He mentions that this technique can allow clarity and focus with every flash, creating a 3D geometrical space. Depth and structure are also present with density and texture, similar to color. Daniel Kish provides an example of this to give more clarity.

"I’m walking through my neighborhood, on the phone with you. Right now, I’m passing by a neighbor’s house, and she’s got a lot of trees surrounding her house. It’s very treed and hedged and heavily bushed. It’s very fuzzy, it’s kind of soft, it’s kind of wispy. Foliage has a particular effect, a particular signature. It puts out a very specific image. I can tell you that someone has done a lot of work on her yard, because her tree line and hedge line are thinned out. Now I’m aware of the fencing behind the tree line, which I always new was there, but now it’s much more clear because the tree line is more transparent, acoustically. But you know, I also have one ear to a phone" (Hurst, 2017). 

These clicks and sounds were studied and perfected in order to make echolocation more direct. Hurst writes, "The study sampled thousands of clicks from three different echolocators, and examined their consistency, direction, frequency, and more, including describing a 60-degree “cone of perception” that radiates out from the mouth and provides the most detail in the scene," (Hurst, 2017). This is very interesting to me, seeing as I have full vision and would never expect to use echolocation to guide me through my day-to-day life. It is beneficial to see the science behind things I do not understand. 

References

Hurst, N. (2017, October 2). How Does Human Echolocation Work? Smithsonian; Smithsonian.com. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-does-human-echolocation-work-180965063/

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Taste vs. Memories

    I think we all have one food that we refuse to eat. This could be spinach, grilled chicken, mushrooms, etc. Sometimes this comes down to picky eating or flavor preference, but sometimes we refuse to eat things due to negative memories that are associated with that food. I remember my best friend gave me a bag of green sweedish fish for Valentine's Day in eighth grade. That same day, I had a terrible case of food poisoning and threw up everything I had eaten during the day. While getting sick, I could not shake the displeasure of the smell and taste of the Swedish fish coming back up. Ever since that day, I have refused to eat them, and even the sight of them makes me nauseous. This idea is called "the science of flavor," and it can be seen through the sense of the brain's hippocampus. A Funky Chunk article states, "The hippocampus is vital to a person’s memory, particularly long-term ones. A flavor can also connect with parts of the brain tied to emotion and smell. In other words, we are biologically wired to form strong memories around food," (Malicdem). The brain can associate memories positively, too. I love chicken marsala--it was the first meal my boyfriend and I ate on our first date a few years ago. Whenever I eat chicken marsala I am reminded of how happy and excited I was on that date, and how much I love my boyfriend. The brain is a powerful tool, one that can create emotions and desires we don't know the root of. 

References

The Science of Flavor: How Food Creates Memories. (n.d.). Funky Chunky. https://funkychunky.com/blogs/news/the-science-of-flavor-how-food-creates-memories#:~:text=In%20the%20brain%2C%20the%20hippocampus

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Uncanny Valley

The uncanny valley effect is a phenomenon rooted in Japanese culture, also known as 不気味の谷 (Japanese) or bukimi no tani (Hepburn). It is an effect that brings on an uncomfortable sensation while viewing or interacting with artificial intelligence that bears extreme similarity to a human face. It is stated that the interaction between a human and AI is positive until the robot becomes almost human, which then creates a negative repulsion immediately. This graph shows this correlation. 

The more similar the AI/robot is to a human, the more uncomfortable it becomes to interact with it. This idea became very popular after the 2014 release of "Five Nights at Freddy's." This game created fear in viewers; jumpscares, tension-building situations, lack of information, time limits, and battery caps, all created life-like horror scenarios. However, the most uncomfortable aspect of this was the life-like animatronic animals, which were later discovered to be human souls trapped inside animatronic suits.

The reason these animatronic characters were so realistic to humans was their ability to knowingly chase the player. The game surrounds a run-down video game plaza, similar to Chuck E Cheese. These animatronics were known to create trouble at night, so a security guard was hired to "survey" the place, unknowingly. The animatronics moved from room to room, while the security guard watched the cameras to track these movements. They never moved while on camera, however they would look directly into the cameras. This only evoked more fear in the player. 

The uncanny valley effect is extremely creepy. It rides the line between real and not real, which becomes blurry after a certain amount of likeness to human features, movements, and physical attributes. Video game creators use this knowledge to create horror games, but there doesn't have to be a single jump scare for these animations to be creepy. 

References

    Five Nights at Freddy’s. (2024). Amazon.com. https://www.amazon.com/Scott-Cawthon-Five-Nights-Freddys/dp/B00N1HONIO

    Markagonzales. (2023, December 4). The Psychological Mastery of Five Nights at Freddy’s in Horror Gaming. Medium. https://medium.com/@markagonzales04/the-psychological-mastery-of-five-nights-at-freddys-in-horror-gaming-b199570e28b7

    Wikipedia Contributors. (2019, February 20). Uncanny valley. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley

Synesthesia

Let's be honest here. Your introduction to this condition was hearing Kanye West claiming to have it. If you're like me, you were highly skeptical of its actual existence. Turns out it is in fact a real thing, but unlike the other two conditions we reviewed, it isn't caused by a lesion to the brain, but instead something certain people are born with. It isn't much of a stretch to assume certain people's brains are simply wired to perceive reality in this way, whether it's a specifically evolved mutation in the genome or simply a quirk in the neuronal makeup of certain brains, it is certainly a very interesting condition.

Unlike the previous two conditions which render life far more difficult, this one seems to add more creative saturation to one's perception. Someone with this condition experiences crossover with their senses, for instance they may perceive numbers to be a certain color or tasting certain phonemes they hear. It's little wonder that artists such as Kanye, or Billie Eilish claim to have this condition, as one can certainly understand it's potential for creativity.

Interesting short video on the condition

Nelson, Angela. “Synesthesia.” WebMD, 23 Aug. 2022, www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-synesthesia.

Akinetopsia

Imagine perceiving every moving object as a series of still images, almost as if you were reviewing frames from a film or a slideshow. This startling condition, known as Akinetopsia, renders the observer unable to perceive real-time motion, and is luckily quite rare. It occurs from a lesion to the visual cortex, specifically the V5 region, which is responsible for interpreting smooth motion.

This condition affects every aspect of daily life, as you could imagine. Because it is so rare, there is little research on it. Much like prosopagnosia, it is a form of visual agnosia, albeit far more of an impediment to one's life. There is no known cure for it, but depending on the severity, one might eventually recover.



Interesting short video on this condition

Peralta, Sharon. “Akinetopsia.” All About Vision, 5 Dec. 2023, www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/related/akinetopsia.

Prosopagnosia

Imagine for a moment being unable to recognize or distinguish the features of the faces of those you trust most. Sounds like John Hamm's fate in an episode of Black Mirror. However, this condition, known as Prosopagnosia (or face blindness) is very real, and some believe it effects over 10 million Americans today. How does this condition work, and what causes it?

Prosopagnosia isn't an issue with vision, instead it is an issue with how the brain interprets faces. It occurs from a lesion to the brain fusiform gyrus, an area spanning the temporal and occipital lobes of the brain. It can also be genetic in some cases. There are two versions of this condition, one which disables the ability to understand facial cues known as apperceptive prosopagnosia. There is also a far more extreme version, associative prosopagnosia, which renders the brain unable to differentiate between faces, as they all look alike. As you could imagine, this condition makes it difficult for those who have it to socialize normally as recognizing different faces is obviously a major factor in communication. There is currently no cure for this condition, however perceptual training may allow for some ability to perceive faces normally again. 

Interesting short video on the condition

Cleveland Clinic. “Face Blindness (Prosopagnosia).” Cleveland Clinic, 7 July 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23412-prosopagnosia-face-blindness.

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Pheromones

Research shows the women are able to essentially sense compatibility. Each individuals have their unique scent called pheromones, which indicate whether someone is MHC-similar or dissimilar. Women's whose partners MHC were more similar, experienced less sexual responsiveness, and increased attractiveness to other men. On the other hand, women whose partners MHC were dissimilar, felt more compatible and research shows that the greater difference in MHC implies they will have healthier offspring. Men however, are not influenced by MHC similarity, mainly due to the impact of a women's fertile phase. 

Though women are skillful in sensing compatibility, they are not always accurate. The book explains how if a women is taking oral contraceptives, she may be attracted to mates with greater MHC similarity. Almost as if their scent is blinded by the contraceptive, which could explain conflicting relationships. When a woman is in the most fertile phase in her cycle however, she will be more attracted to men with MHC similarity.

How Our Taste Is Impacted By Sight and Smell

    The flavors we experience when eating and drinking, involve more than just our sense of taste. Specifically, when we dine in a fancy restaurant, the presentation of the food could have a big impact to how much we enjoy it. We may unconsciously judge a meal based on how it looks, and if we think it does not look appetizing, we may also think it does not taste good. Our sight may also trick us into thinking something tastes a specific way based on how it looks. The book provides and example of two drinks (one orange flavored and the other lime flavored) which are dyed to be the opposite drinks color (orange dyed green and lime dyed orange), in order to see the effects our vision has on our taste. In this example, someone may see the orange different, and report tasting orange flavor, despite it being the lime drink. As for how our sense of smell would effect the experience, we may consider having the person hold their breath when taking a spit, so the experience is strictly based on sight.

    Our sense of smell has a great impact on how we may or may not enjoy certain foods. This idea takes me back a few years and reminds me of a show I used to watch, which implied that our sense of smell affects our taste. In one episode, the boy mentions how when he eats his moms food he learned to hold his breathe when taking a bite; (his mom wasn't the best cook) this allowed for the food to be tolerable because he didn't experience the aroma that would turn him away. I mainly noticed the truth behind this when Covid-19 took over. When I had covid, I only lost my sense of smell, and I noticed a difference in how things tasted. Considering that covid also took away many individuals taste, this may overall create a bigger change in how we eat food. Personally, I think certain foods will be more tolerable if it wasn't for its taste, like olives. I can't enjoy the taste or smell of olives, but the texture wouldn't bother me. If I were to also eat it blindly, hold my breathe, and only rely only on sense of touch, it would be very tolerable. This shows how all sense combined, we can have very different experiences with foods.