Thanks to a scientific study in which volunteers willingly played a few rounds of an evil Pac-Man clone that shocked them each time they made a bad move, science is one step closer to understanding the mystery of "flight or fight" and how our brains process fear.
Using MRI scanners to monitor blood flow to different parts of the brain during playtime, Dr. Dean Mobbs of the University College London was able to determine that as the fear of an imminent shock increased, our ability to formulate an elaborate escape plan might suffer as a result:
"The midbrain is a primitive area of the brain, and it controls gut-level
reflexes such as the decision to fight or flee. When a fast response is
needed, the midbrain may inhibit the prefrontal cortex. The closer a
threat gets, the more impulsive your response - in effect, the less free
will you have."
I guess the findings aren't all that surprising, since few people outside of Jason Bourne make the best of decisions on the fly while under heavy duress. What does surprise me is that they were actually able to find volunteers for this experiment, and that it wasn't secretly run by some guy going by the name of Baron von Kratzmar or something.
The biggest question that comes to mind is just how strong were those shocks? I can't imagine a little static-electricity-like jolt causing the kind of fear needed for this kind of study. Now if you'll pardon me, I'll be busy licking the business end of a few 9-volt batteries and touching metal doorknobs in preparation of such a "scientific" study myself --I think I can skew the results.
[Via BBC]
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Contest:
1:16 PM on 08.24.2007
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Now, to the POSION DARTS!
Now that's some interesting reading you pointed out there.
@Mabec and masterledz
Jack doing the Matrix-move and dodging electro bolts? That would make for one helluva superhero game.
This research is all about showing how the physical nature of our brain is the only thing that makes us human, or gives us a "mind". So in a way, we are slaves to our biological nature and have no free will. This view contrasts with dualistic theories that see the brain and the mind/mind-as-soul as seperate elements.
Now, I hear there is this thing called monotheism that ascribes to the existence of a seperate Soul as well? Which supposedly is pretty popular in the US and seems to have some influence in politics... They would not like it if evil scientists could prove that we don't have free will and are victims to the primal instinct signals that our brain structure sends our 'thinking mind'.
So, if violence in videogames can elicit physical responses that are somewhat similar to that of aggression (one of the main arguments in that kind of research), it can only make us more aggressive psycho killers if we don't have any free will over this. And that would mean there is no soul or higher controlling mind besides our bodies, and therefore no use for Heaven a God etc.
Can someone rally the evangelicals against Jack Thompson now please? I mean, how hard could it be for them to get riled up over another attack on Christianity and/or religion? Evangelicals would make such an evil ally... (I don't hate christianity btw)
I feel I'm missing something though, anyone?
I tried reading that, honestly. However, my brain melted after seeing dualistic, ascribes, and monotheism. Why must you use such big word around me, and squash my pathetic vocabuary?
Just kidding, even if it's true. Great job!
This is interesting. I hope that some good will come from this study.