| Ask Dr? Jeffers |
This month Dr. Jeffers is answering questions about the human
brain and how it works. |
Dear Dr. Jeffers,
One of my colleagues, Felix Moeller, told me that scientists are learning to use computer to 'read
minds'. Is there any truth to this story/
-Jane Leon, New York, USA
Dear Ms. Leon,
Well, a lot of research is being conducted in this area, but so far, the brain scanning equipment
and corresponding computer programs haven't been able to actually read thoughts. In one experiment,
test subjects (受试者) were connected to scanning equipment and shown two numbers on a screen.
They were then asked to choose between adding or subtracting (减) the two numbers. Using this
method, researchers were able to follow brain processes and make the correct assumptions (假设) 70
percent of the time. It's not quite mind reading, but it's certainly a first step.
-Dr. J. |
Dear Dr. Jeffers,
My three-year-old son loves it when I dig my fingers into his sides and tickle (胳肢) him until he
laughs uncontrollably. The other day I noticed him trying to tickle himself but he couldn't do it. Why
not?
-Glenn Lewis, Vancouver, Canada
Dear Mr. Lewis,
It's because of how the brain works. The brain is trained to know what to pay attention to and
what to ignore. It causes us to ignore physical feelings we expect to happen, but it causes a mild panic
reaction when there is an unexpected feeling. For example, you don't notice how your shoulder feels
while you're walking down the street. But if someone comes up behind you and touches you lightly on
the shoulder, you may jump in fear. It's that unexpected part that causes the tickle reaction.
-Dr. J. | |
