Does Your Mirror Tell The Truth?
Ξ July 22nd, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ The Brain |
We believe that the mirror tells the truth. We treat the world in the mirror like the world outside of the mirror. But what we see may be different than what the mirror reflects.
Scientists are using mirrors as a tool to explore the way our minds perceive who we are, how things move and how a flat surface can seem to show three dimensions.
When we see pictures of ourselves combined with pictures of others, we recognize our picture more quickly when it has been made more attractive with artist tools. When shown several pictures of ourselves that have small artistic changes, we tend to pick the best looking one as the way we really look.
When there is a mirror in the room, scientists found that people work harder, are more helpful and not as likely to cheat. People were also less likely to judge others based on sex, race or religion. It is as if ourself in the mirror is watching our real self. We want to look good to our self in the mirror.
Many animals can recognize themselves in a mirror. Apes, gorillas, dolphins, Asian elephants all look closely at marks put on their faces and seem to recognize what they are looking at as themselves. These animals also closely look to see if their mouths, noses and sex parts are clean.
Is the size of your face in the mirror the same size as your “real” face? Almost everyone says “yes”. What do you think?
Your Opinion, Please?
- Why do you think that having a mirror in the room changes behavior?
- Why do we pick the best looking picture as our “real” selves?
- Does the mirror tell lies?
Vocabulary Words
artistic: a person who is an artist
behavior: how you act
closely: very close
dimensions: height, width and depth
dolphins: an animal
gorillas: an animal
others: other people
ourself: our self
perceive: what we think we see and hear
recognize: accept
self: who you are
selves: about us
treat: how you behave toward another person
