Psychology: Unraveling secrets of the Mind

Psychology is the study of the human mind and that includes the brain's functions and how each of it is being done. Whether one is solving a complex mathematical problem or is in a state of deep sleep, the human brain continues to be at work. Each of its parts has its distinct functions, all of which are interconnected by the nervous system. In other words, the human brain is in control of almost the entire human body.

In a simple activity such as watching your favorite Netflix movie, several parts of the brain are working in sync with each other. The Auditory and Optic Nerves send the external stimuli (the video and audio of the movie) to the Temporal and Occipital lobes respectively. The Temporal lobe is also responsible for making meaning out of the words and subtitles in the film. Whereas the Cerebellum allows you to multitask, move your hands and grab your favorite bag of chips.

Now, that we have an idea of how the brain functions while performing the simplest of tasks. How about the more complex ones such as solving an algebraic expression?

Fig.1. A set of mathematical equations that is considered to be a complex task for the brain

Now, to solve one of the above algebraic equations, one must simply take time to read it first. In doing so, the Parietal lobe is at work together with the Occipital lobe for vision. While Cerebellum, which is in charge of motor functioning enables one to write and solve the equation using pen and paper. The Brain Stem, on the other hand, keeps the mind awake whole throughout the ordeal (the process I mean) whereas the Temporal Lobe stores the memory needed to recall the needed steps to take to solve the equation. Lastly, The Frontal Lobe deals with actually solving the equation in a step-by-step manner.

In other words, the more complex the action, the more parts of the brain needed for its completion.

Surprisingly as noted at the beginning of the article, even in activities you do not expect such as sleeping, the brain remains at work. The Hypothalamus which is responsible for sleep and arousal contains a nucleus that detects light being received by the body's receptors. Simply put, the Hypothalamus knows when it is nighttime already and communicates it with the Brain stem which then houses receptors responsible for relaxing the body and its muscles. The Thalamus and Amygdala, on the other hand, are both responsible for all those nighttime dreams (and nightmares).

The Brain has Superpowers?: Unfolding the mystery of Super Recognizers

There are, however, capabilities of the brain that still remain a mystery to the world of science. This includes a special group of people known as Super Recognizers. These people have an extremely rare ability to recognize human faces in an astonishingly accurate and detailed manner. Obviously, due to their unique yet highly important ability, Super recognizers are scouted and employed by European investigative agents such as the British CIA. The Fusiform face area located in the Temporal Lobe is said to be responsible for such capability.

Fig. 2. Image showing the ability of super recognizers to identify suspects using angled face images caught by CCTV

For most of us, the ability to recognize faces seen even a year ago is an extraordinary gift but what if the opposite is what you have? What if you can not recognize a human face at all?

Prosopagnosia is the difficulty in recognizing human faces and this is caused by damage in the Occipital (Visual) and Temporal parts of the brain. These could come in a couple of forms such as the inability to see faces in their' upright and correct form which is called Associative Prosopagnosia. On the other hand, the Apperceptive type refers to the inability to distinguish human facial emotions.

Being gifted with an extraordinary ability in your brain can be a huge asset whereas the lack of a vital part can be a burden in a person's daily life.

Delving deep into the Brain's hidden superpowers: Echolocation and Clairvoyance

Echolocation or Biosonar is the ability to use supersonic sound (the vibrations from the environment) to know one's position in a geographic field. This ability is the trademark of other mammals such as certain species of bats and shrews. However, Humans are also found to be capable of echolocation and such is the case of a blind man from the United Kingdom named Lucas Murray. Lucas was only 9 years old when the news about his ability to echolocate was brought to the attention of the mainstream media.

Image Source: BBC News

Image Source: BBC News

Vision is one of the most overlooked yet highly-important human senses and living without seems unimaginable for many of us. However, according to the Sensory Compensation Hypothesis, deficiency in one of the body senses can be compensated by at least one of the other senses. Such is true in the case of Lucas who was able to unlock the supersonic abilities of his auditory senses. According to the theory, the Occipital Lobe of a blind person gets rewired and adapts other functions that can aid to compensate on the loss of vision.

Now that we know one of the brain's "alleged" superpowers and that is the ability to "see" without the gift of vision. Let us now take a look at another brain's untapped extraordinary ability.

Clairvoyance or Second Sight is the ability to see events unfold from a remote location or time. Hence, Remote viewers or people said to be gifted with an extraordinary ability to use clairvoyance are utilized during World War I and the US - Russian Cold War. Accounts from self-confessed Remote viewers mentioned that they have the ability to clearly visualize the location and the exact happenings on a certain location just by using their extraordinary psychic power.

Science or Myth?: Psychology and Mind Reading

There seems to be a thin line between the world of science and mythology when it comes to the topic of mind reading.

The Got Talent TV Show franchise is famous for bringing some of the best entertainment acts into the world stage and media. Among the talents that are being featured on the weekly episodic show are mentalists and mind readers. People who claim that they can 'read' what another person is thinking with the use of awe-inspiring acts. Among these talents are The Clairvoyants from the America's Got Talent Season 11 from 2016. The duo made use of the Jelly Bean act to punch their ticket to the Finals. In the act, the judges were told to pick their favorite Jelly Bean and Mel B was asked to pick out a number of jelly beans from a glass.

Amelie of the Clairvoyants then told Mel B. that she'll guess the exact number of jelly beans Mel B. picked out. The judges were awe-inspired when Amelie correctly guessed the correct number of jelly beans.

Can mentalists really read minds?

The Power of Suggestion and Budol

Well, the answer that is known already by many is No. As Mentalist acts are done to entertain audiences very much like circus acts performed in Las Vegas hotels and casinos. Mentalists use sleigh of hands, black curtains, distractions and Power of suggestion to give audiences an illusion that they can 'read people's minds'.

Power of suggestion is often used in 'I know what you are thinking and 'Give me a particular name of a blank' tricks as the mentalist 'suggests' words and phrases to the 'trickee' (if there is such term) that leads to the latter giving answers that is related to the suggestion(s) provided.

Unfortunately, this kind of mental trick is also being employed by others to commit crimes and fool people. Such is true in the case of Budol or crimes wherein power of suggestion and distraction are being used to swindle money from the unsuspecting victims. Felons who will surprise you with made-up stories or distracting schemes that needs an urgent reaction from the victim such as the Zesto Gang or the infamous Budol gang who is known for their panic-inducing and blackmailing strategies.

To sum it up, trickery mainly targets a person's sense of gullibility and tendency to react in a panic manner in unexpected urgent situations.