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. 

How Our Sense of Smell Enhances the Flavors We Taste

 

Have you ever noticed how food loses its flavor when you have a stuffy nose? That is because our sense of smell plays a crucial role in how we perceive taste. While our taste buds can detect basic flavors like sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and savory,  it is our olfactory system that brings the full spectrum of flavors to life. This fascinating interplay between taste and smell shows just how connected our senses are, making each meal a rich sensory experience.

When we eat, aromatic compounds from the food travel up to our olfactory receptors at the back of our nasal cavity, even while chewing with our mouths closed. This process is known as retronasal olfaction and allows our brain to combine information from both our taste buds and our sense of smell to create a complete flavor profile. Without this olfactory input, many foods would taste bland. For instance, the intricate flavors of a rich, savory stew or a complex, fruity wine would be significantly muted without our sense of smell enhancing the experience. Up to 80% of what we taste is actually derived from our sense of smell. Understanding the role of smell in taste can change the way we appreciate food and drink. Chefs and food scientists often exploit this connection by enhancing dishes with aromatic herbs, spices, and other ingredients that stimulate our olfactory senses. This not only improves the overall dining experience but also explains why certain foods pair well together. For example, the reason why wine and cheese make such a delightful combination lies in the complementary aromatic compounds that enhance their respective flavors. 

Shepherd, G. M. (2012). Neurogastronomy: How the Brain Creates Flavor and Why It Matters. Columbia University Press.

https://books.google.com/books/Neurogastronomy.html?id=gEigoDUBvA4C

https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/your-sense-of-taste

The Fascinating World of Olfactophilia

Have you ever wondered why certain smells make you feel a certain way? For some people, specific body odors, especially from intimate areas, can be incredibly arousing. This phenomenon, known as olfactophilia or osmolagnia, is a lesser-known paraphilia where individuals get sexually excited by the scents emanating from the body. While it might sound unusual, it highlights just how powerful and influential our sense of smell can be in our daily lives and intimate moments. 

Our noses are closely linked to the parts of our brain that process emotions and memories. This means that a particular scent can bring back vivid memories or stir strong feelings. For those with olfactophilia, the smell of a partner's skin, sweat, or other natural body odors can trigger intense sexual arousal. Studies have shown that smells play a big role in attraction and mate selection, hinting at our primal instincts. According to research by Herz and Cahill (1997), olfactory cues are significant in human sexual behavior and attraction. This demonstrates that our noses can guide our romantic and sexual preferences more than we might realize. Despite its rarity, olfactophilia shows the diverse ways in which people experience desire. While society often overlooks or stigmatizes body odors, understanding and acknowledging this paraphilia can help us appreciate the rich layers of human sexuality. By fostering a more inclusive and open-minded view of sexual diversity, we can better understand and respect the many ways in which people find, create and build connections. So next time you catch a whiff of a familiar scent, remember that our sense of smell is a powerful force and very capable of unlocking deep responses.

Herz, R. S., & Cahill, E. D. (1997). Differential use of sensory information in sexual behavior as a function of gender. Human Nature, 8(3), 275-286.

The Tadoma Method

The Tadoma Method of communication is a unique and tactile way for deafblind individuals to connect and communicate with others. Developed in the 1920s by Sophia Alcorn, Tadoma involves a deafblind person placing their thumb on a speaker's lips and spreading their fingers along the speaker's face and neck. Through this method, communication is transmitted via vibrations, jaw movements, and facial expressions. This allows the user to understand speech by feeling its physical manifestations. Despite being very challenging and time-consuming to learn, Tadoma has proven successful for many, with fluent users able to comprehend up to forty words per minute. Tad Chapman and Oma Simpson, Alcorn's initial students, helped demonstrate the method's potential and made it a prominent communication technique at the Perkins School for the Blind during a period when oral education was highly valued in American Deaf education.

However, the dominance of the Tadoma method began to wane in the 1950s due to its difficulty and the often-inaccurate communication it provided. Today, Tadoma is not used by many worldwide and half of those users reside in the United States. In contrast, American Sign Language (ASL) has become much more widely adopted by the deafblind community. ASL for the deafblind involves the individual resting their hands on the signer's hands, effectively "feeling" the signs being made. While ASL presents its own set of challenges, such as slower comprehension, difficulty distinguishing questions from statements, and confusion between similar-feeling signs, these can be mitigated through techniques like fingerspelling and contextual clarification. Both Tadoma and ASL require significant skill and adaptation, showcasing the resilience and ingenuity of the deafblind community in overcoming communication barriers. The progress of deafblind individuals in mastering these methods continues to inspire and impress people around the globe.

https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/topics/tadoma.htm

http://www.faculty.ucr.edu/~rosenblu/book/SeeWhatImSayingBook2/SeeWhatImSayingBook/Chapter7.html

Echolocation

    Echolocation is a process where emitting sounds can help one determine the location and size of objects that can not be seen. The brain uses the emitted sound and the received sound to determine how far away an object is. Blind people can use this to help them in navigating around a room for example. Seeing people also have this ability and they don't even know it. If we close our eyes, we can still perceive the things around us even though we can't see them. Many animals use this as well to be able to locate objects around them in the dark. 

    Animals like whales, dolphins, or bats use echolocation to navigate but also to hunt prey. Toothed whales do not have a traditional external ear canal so they use this process a little differently. They have an acoustic window towards the back of their jaw that allows them to still use this process. This acoustic window is a thin area of bone and a fat pad that receives the returning sound and sends it to the inner ear. The whale is able to use this sound to determine how far away the prey is and they can also determine what species the sound bounced off of. 

    This process is so similar to how humans use echolocation yet so different. All of the internal processes are the same and the brain is working in similar ways. However, the method of how the sound gets to the the brain to be processed is so different. It is interesting to be see how the same process can be used in such different ways.

https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/marine-mammals/evolution-echolocation

Phantom Pain

  
 Phantom pain, as described in the book, is a phenomenon of intense discomfort reported by amputees in their missing limb. It was previously believed that this pain came from damage to nerve endings in the remaining portion of the limb but that has since been proven incorrect. Instead, it is now classified as an issue with brain plasticity and how the brain has rewired following amputation. The book also states that when the brains touch region is reassigned to a further body part, individuals experience more intense phantom limb pain.

    To go about treating this phenomenon, doctors may prescribe many different types of medications or they may recommend over the counter pain medication. Additionally, there are other treatment therapies that could be helpful in reducing pain. One of the most interesting of these therapies being mirror therapy. The way this works is a lower limb amputee may sit with a mirror mimicking the existing limb to trick the brain into thinking both legs still remain on the body. This sounds like it would never work but it has been proven to show significant benefit to those with phantom limb pain. Below is an image of how the mirror therapy is done.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448188/#:~:text=Phantom%20limb%20pain%20is%20the,underlying%20pathophysiology%20remains%20poorly%20understood.

Enhancing Mimicry through Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has emerged as a promising tool in studying and enhancing mimicry, the automatic imitation of observed actions. TMS involves using magnetic fields to create transient brain lesions, allowing researchers to temporality disrupt specific brain areas and observe the effects on behaviors. It's a noninvasive procedure at it is done without using surgery or cutting the skin (Mayo Clinic, n.d.). This type of procedure is used to stimulate nerves cells in the brain, and "resets" the brain networks that regulate mood. According to Catmur et al. (2009), a study has shown that TMS can influence the motor cortex, thereby affecting mimicry responses. By applying TMS to the motor regions, researchers have gained insights into the neural mechanisms underlying the imitation of facial expressions and gestures. 

The potential of TMS in enhancing our understanding of mimicry is truly captivating. The ability to pinpoint and manipulate specific brain regions offers a unique glimpse into the complex interplay, between observation and action. While the ethical considerations and potential risks associated with TMS, the benefits in advancing our knowledge of social cognition and rehabilitation are significant. I find the application of TMS in this context to be a powerful reminded of how cutting edge neuroscience can shed light on the fundamental process that helps with human interactions. 

References 

Catmur, C., Walsh V., & Heyes, C. (2009). Associative sequence learning: The role of experience in the development of imitaion and the mirror system. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological sciences, 364(1528), 2369-2380.

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Transcranial magnetic stimulation. Tests & Procedures. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625#:~:text=Overview,surgery%20or%20cutting%20the%20skin.

Unlocking the Power of Lip Reading through Intensive Speech Therapy

    Intensive speech therapy can significantly enhance lip-reading skills, transforming how individuals with hearing impairment communication. Speech therapy focuses on improving the visual perception of speech by training individuals to recognize subtle movements of the lips, tongue, and facial expressions. Studies, such as by Bernstein et al. (2017), have shown how a structured and repetitive practice in lip reading can lead to better speech comprehension. By utilizing audiovisual speech training techniques, therapists help clients synchronize auditory and visual cues, that result in more accurate speech perception in even noisy environments. 

    The benefits of intensive speech therapy in lip reading are profound. I find it fascinating how therapy not only bridges the communication gap but empowers these individuals with hearing impairments, giving them confidence and independence. While others may argue on the topic of hearing aids, I believe that having the combination of technology and therapy offers a more holistic approach to communication. As we can see how scientific advancement's and therapeutic interventions can significantly improve the quality of life for those with hearing challenges, making everyday interactions more accessible and enjoyable. 

References

Bernstein, L.E., Auer, E. T., & Moore, J. K. (2017). Audiovisual Speech Perception. In the handbook of psycholinguistics (pp. 609-622). John Wiley & Sons. 

Pareidolia

Pareidolia is the term for the phenomena that happens when people see patterns in seemingly unconnected things, including faces, animals, or objects on clouds and rock formations. It is not a clinical diagnosis, nor is it a disorder. Information from any source can be interpreted by the human brain naturally. Due to the way our brains are wired to recognize and process facial features, we regularly see faces or important patterns when none are there.

This phenomenon explains why patterns in tree bark, constellations, or toast patterns can appear to individuals as faces. I thought this was incredibly interesting because it never occured to me that there was a name for this experience. The concept of pareidolia highlights how our minds constantly scan our surroundings for patterns and significant information, often leading us to perceive well-known shapes and forms when none are present. Psychology and neuroscience have been interested in this phenomenon because it provides insights into how our innate cognitive processes affect our perception.

References:

https://sites.uw.edu/libraryvoices/2024/02/03/pareidolia-the-phenomenon-of-seeing-faces-everywhere/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/pareidolia 

ASMR

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a sensory-emotional phenomena that can be defined by the sensation of paresthesia, or a "tingling" or static-like feeling. In recent years, ASMR has been increasingly popular among younger generations and the media culture, despite a lack of scientific research on this phenomena. A person may experience tingling in other body parts such as the upper back, scalp, or neck. The experience is in response to specific audio, visual, or tactile stimuli, or even generated by intentional attention control. Whispering, quiet speech, tapping, scratching, subtle hand gestures, and close personal attention are some examples of these triggers (Barratt and Davis 2015).

In those who are susceptible to ASMR, it may be concluded that ASMR lessens depressive symptoms. Moreover, whether or not a person is susceptible to ASMR, watching ASMR videos lowers their heart rate. Furthermore, EEG recordings from studies demonstrate that ASMR videos increase beta power while decreasing alpha and theta power. These findings may support the theory that ASMR is associated with arousal and a type of concentrated attention, such as a "state of flow" or absorption. Since I prefer to watch these videos because they help me relax and enter a trance state, I really enjoyed learning about ASMR and its effects.

Reference: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9142458/ 

How Smell Triggers Memories

 Odor has been shown to trigger memory in a Harvard Medical School lab study on how animals utilize their senses to interpret the environment. The article describes how our ancient ancestors used their sense of smell to map out their environment and recall past locations. The relationship between olfactory sensory neurons in the brain, which provide electrical impulses to various regions of the brain through axons, and human noses' odor receptors is demonstrated by physiology.

 These signals travel to multiple parts of the brain that are involved in learning, emotion, and memory. The olfactory, or piriform cortex, identifies smells; the amygdala, which generates emotion; and the hippocampus, stores and organizes memories. The hippocampus can file and preserve information forever if it believes that the smell is significant, for example, if it is associated with a very emotional occasion. The same smell might evoke strong memories and emotional resonance decades after the event.

The thalamus of the brain is the first region that sights, sounds, and other sensory data must pass through in order to reach the amygdala and hippocampus. On the other hand, the information is explained to the memory and emotion centers via the olfactory system, which is located directly next to them. I found it fascinating that this could be the reason behind research showing that odor-evoked memories are more likely to be emotional and to date back further in life than memories induced by other senses.

Reference: 
https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/connections-between-smell-memory-and-health

Anosmia-Effects of Covid-19

    Anosmia is the loss of sense of smell. People unconsciously smell everything around them including people, nature, and gasses in the air. Because this is an unconscious process, it is hard to understand how much smell plays a role in our life until it is gone. People can have this condition naturally but cases really spiked through Covid-19. 

    Anosmia was a one of the most common symptoms of the disease and greatly impacted the quality of life of those infected with Covid-19. Not only does it diminish the effect of smell but it also lessens the taste of food because the two are so connected. This can lead to detrimental effects of malnutrition and weight loss because people stopped eating when they could not enjoy their meals. 

    A majority of people infected with the disease experience temporary anosmia. Anosmia is a pretty uncommon symptom for other respiratory diseases so this symptom was used heavily in preliminary diagnoses of Covid-19. Thankfully, anosmia as a symptom of Covid-19 was mostly temporary, not leaving long term effects, however, like people with long term anosmia, it severely impacted peoples quality of the life during the experience.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9798353/#:~:text=Anosmia%20may%20occur%20in%20the,electronic%20health%20records%20%5B18%5D. 

Bone Conduction

 Bone Conduction 

Have you ever wondered how deaf people can perceive music? Those with conductive hearing loss, can perceive music through bone conduction. This can be done by the phenomenon known as Bone conduction (BC) as “vibration are transmitted through the bones of the skill to the cochlea and the associated sensorineural structures resulting in the perception of sound” (Brandt & Winters, 2023, para.1). That required an external audio processor to pick up the sound vibrations to transmit them, bone conduction hearing devices (BCHDs) helps those with this phenomenon, as it sends sound vibrations through the skull’s bones directly to the inner ear, essentially bypassing the middle ear and eardrum. 

Bone conduction hearing device has only recently gained traction in the electronics market. As its unlike traditional earbuds or air conduction headphones it, allows the user to remain aware of their surroundings while enjoying music or activities. They are adjustable headpieces that are worn around the back of the head.  Most bone conduction headphone manufactures opt to place the stimulus on the jawbone onto the mastoid stimulus, which is believes to offer a clearer and most consistent signal for optimal bone conduction stimulation. I found this concept interesting as this allows for people to hear in a more natural way, as we ourselves can hear own voice. It offers a way to transmit audio while keeping your ear canals open, with technology constantly improving this auditory method can only be improved from here. 

References 

Brant, P, J, Winters, R. (2023). Bone Conduction Evaluation. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK578177/

Proxy touch

 Proxy touch is when you use an object to feel or sense another object and is something that we subconsciously do all the time. Brushing our teeth, a blind person using a cane, or even like the book says, buttering your toast are all examples of proxy touch. We use an objects to feel and sense things that allow use to determine how much or little force to use or even when something is wide enough for us to fit through or to steep for us to climb. The book states that "our accuracy using proxy touch would be comparable to that for vison" which goes to show how important this aspect is in our daily lives. 

The book also gives the example of expert fly fisherman Rick Passek and how his use of proxy touch makes him an amazing fisherman. Rick uses proxy touch to sense the vibrations of the fish through the fishing line and rod and he is able to do so so accurately  that he can tell the fishes movements, what type of fish is hooked, and even the age and gender of that fish, all through a fishing pole.  I'm not a fisherman but my learning about proxy touch made me think of my own experiences with it. I'm a big cooker in my house and cooking is pretty much all proxy touch. You feel when something is done and ready using tongs or you can feel when a sauce or soup is to thin or thick using a ladle. I love learning concepts like this because it makes me go back and think of all the times I've applied these aspects to my daily life.

Pheromones

 

                                                                What are pheromones? 

    Pheromones are substances that are secreted to the outside by an individual and it is received by another individual of the same species. There is so much research behind the idea of pheromones with animals but some time ago I heard about pheromones through Tik Tok. There was this pheromone perfume going around and it claimed; women who wear this oil/perfume, their significant other will be significantly more attracted to them and they will "fall" more in love and become more sexual. I have no idea if this perfume is proven to be true but it was very interesting to see that this topic was in our book. 

    In animals, releaser pheromones seem to induce immediate behavioral changes such as sexual responses in animals. The book goes on to talk about how this will revolutionize the perfume industry. It says that it can influence sexual behaviors in animals, so imagine this occurring in humans. Or there could even be different perfumes for different emotions such as fear which can make us stay away. It has been proven that many different stores, use a specific odor to entice customers to buy more things in their store or a furniture store making it seem more like a home with a certain odor or spray. I find this concept very interesting because it is true for me, if a store smells good such as Hollister back a few years ago, I wanted to buy anything and everything.