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sweating. This reaction was demonstrated
objectively by measuring a sudden decrease
in electrical skin resistance caused by
perspiration. It is as if the table becomes
incorporated into a persons own body
image so that it is linked to emotional
centres in the brain; the subject perceives a
threat to the table as a threat to themselves.
Beyond a practical
application these illusions
also demonstrate some
important principles
underlying perception.
6. Beyond a practical application, these
illusions also demonstrate some important
principles underlying perception. Firstly,
perception is based largely on matching up
sensory inputs. As you feel your hand being
tapped and stroked and see the table or
dummy hand being touched in the same
way, your brain asks itself, What is the
likelihood that what I see and what I feel
could be identical simply by chance? Nil.
Therefore, the other person must be
touching me. Secondly, this mechanism
seems to be based on automatic processes
that our intellect cannot override. The brain
makes these judgments about the senses
automatically; they do not involve conscious
thought. Even a lifetime of experience that
an inanimate object is not part of your body
is abandoned in light of the perception that it
is.
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Questions 1-4
The text reports the findings of three teams of researchers.
Match statements 1-4 with the correct team A, B or C.
1. The illusion does not depend on the phantom looking like a real hand.
2. The brain can disregard spatial information.
3. If the fake hand is threatened, the subject will show signs of fear.
4. A hand-shaped object is required for the illusion.