PSYC 110 Week 2 Assignment Alopes

Name

Chamberlain University

PSYC-110: Psychology

Prof. Name

Date

How We Perceive Our Surroundings

Social interaction is a vital part of human life. For this week’s assignment, I chose to explore option 2, which focuses on how our sense of hearing helps us adapt to and engage with our environment. The process of hearing involves several steps that allow us to perceive sounds. As outlined in the Week 2 Course Module Lesson, sound waves first enter our auditory system through the pinna. They then travel down the auditory canal, causing the eardrum to vibrate. This vibration sets off a chain reaction, causing the hammer, anvil, and stirrup to vibrate as well. The stirrup’s movement activates the oval window, stimulating the fluid in the cochlea. This fluid movement causes the basilar membrane to vibrate, which in turn activates the organ of Corti, prompting it to move upward. The hair cells within our ears serve as sensory receptors, and when they are bent and stimulated, they send action potentials through our auditory nerve. This anatomical process enables our brain to interpret and experience the sensation of hearing (Franklin, 2022, p. 3).

For option 2, I conducted an experiment where I abstained from using my sense of hearing for 15 to 30 minutes while performing daily tasks. I used my AirPods to block out sound, aiming to carry out my typical activities relying solely on my other senses: sight, smell, touch, and taste. I decided to integrate this experiment into my gym workout to see how my weightlifting was affected by the absence of hearing. By activating the noise-canceling feature on my AirPods, I eliminated sound completely. I found that I primarily depended on my sense of sight and touch to complete the exercises. My vision was crucial for interacting with the weights and executing the correct movements, while my sense of touch helped me gauge the weights and maintain proper form.

During the workout, my reliance on sight was evident as I navigated the equipment and ensured I was performing each lift correctly. Touch also played a significant role, allowing me to communicate non-verbally with others in the gym. However, the absence of hearing revealed aspects I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. Without music, I struggled to stay motivated and focused, often allowing my mind to wander. The workout felt slower and more tedious. Conversely, the lack of auditory distractions from others in the gym was surprisingly beneficial; I found myself less affected by noises like dropped weights or loud exercises.

PSYC 110 Week 2 Assignment Alopes

According to Feldman (2018), habituation is the decrease in response to a stimulus due to repeated exposure. I experienced this during the experiment as my peripheral vision drew my attention initially, but over time, I became less reactive. Additionally, sensory adaptation—an adjustment in sensory capacity after prolonged exposure to unchanging stimuli—also became apparent as I grew accustomed to the absence of sound (Feldman, 2018). Although it was challenging at first, I gradually adapted and was able to complete my workout effectively without relying on my hearing. This experience was a fascinating illustration of the brain’s capacity to adapt to new situations.

While I found it intriguing to witness my brain’s adaptability during this experiment, I can only imagine the difficulty of permanently losing hearing. Such a change would necessitate a profound shift in how I perceive and navigate my environment. My respect for those who are deaf or hard of hearing has deepened significantly through this experience. Despite the differences between those who can hear and those who cannot, I believe everyone has the capacity to adapt to their circumstances. Just as I learned to manage without hearing during my workout, individuals with permanent hearing loss can find ways to thrive in their surroundings. Overall, I enjoyed this experiment and gained valuable insights about myself and my workout that I otherwise wouldn’t have discovered.

References

Feldman, R. S. (2018). Understanding Psychology. Dubuque: McGraw-Hill Education.

Week 2 Lesson: Sensation, Perception, and Consciousness (Week 2 Course Shell).