Variables
Most experiments involving fMRI scans attempt to measure a subject's response to a specific stimulus or task in an effort to locate which part of the brain participates in that task or reacts to that stimulus. Thus, scientists try to limit the number of variables involved. However, attempts to look at brain activity in specific parts of the brain ignore other brain regions that participate in these activities but whose activity level falls below the threshold of consideration. They also ignore brain networks. Finally, they do not account for the fact that a human brain never does just one thing. Even if a subject's eyes are closed in an fMRI machine, subjects imagine images -- which means the brain is still engaged in visual activity.
Furthermore, what we see influences what we hear: if the brain is given conflicting auditory and visual information, it will attempt to reconcile them. The McGurk effect demonstrates that what we see will override what we hear because human beings are visually dominant. Thus competing information will create an auditory illusion:
Given the fact that we do not separate what we see from what we hear, Da Prato took the opportunity to play with the visual component of the stimulus. This had the added benefit of creating more brain activity, which allowed for richer sonifications and visualizations and a more interesting concert.
| Previous page on path | Hearing the Music of the Hemispheres, page 7 of 17 | Next page on path |
Discussion of "Variables"
Add your voice to this discussion.
Checking your signed in status ...