PSYC 110 Week 2 Assignment Alopes

Student Name

Chamberlain University

PSYC-110: Psychology

Prof. Name

Date

How We Perceive Our Surroundings

Social interaction is an essential component of human life, and much of it depends on how we perceive the environment around us. For this week’s assignment, I selected Option 2, which explores the role of hearing in helping us adapt to and interact with our surroundings.

The sense of hearing operates through a complex sequence of anatomical processes. As described in the Week 2 Course Module Lesson, sound waves first enter the auditory system via the pinna. From there, the sound waves travel down the auditory canal, striking the eardrum and causing it to vibrate. These vibrations are transferred to the ossicles—specifically, the hammer, anvil, and stirrup. The stirrup’s motion activates the oval window, stimulating the fluid within the cochlea. This fluid movement vibrates the basilar membrane, which then activates the organ of Corti. The hair cells inside the cochlea, acting as sensory receptors, bend in response, sending electrical impulses through the auditory nerve. Finally, the brain interprets these neural signals, resulting in the perception of sound (Franklin, 2022).

Experiment: Temporarily Blocking Hearing

For Option 2, I designed an experiment where I eliminated my sense of hearing for approximately 15–30 minutes while engaging in daily tasks. I used AirPods with noise-canceling features to block external sounds. I chose to conduct this activity during my gym workout to observe how weightlifting would be affected when relying solely on my other senses—sight, touch, smell, and taste.

During the exercises, I noticed that vision and touch became the primary senses guiding my movements. My vision was essential for navigating the gym equipment, ensuring correct positioning, and maintaining balance, while my sense of touch allowed me to gauge the weight resistance and keep proper form.

The following table summarizes how each sense contributed during the workout:

What Happened When Hearing Was Blocked?

During my workout, the absence of sound significantly altered my experience. Without music, I felt less motivated and had difficulty maintaining focus, often allowing my thoughts to wander. The workout appeared slower and more monotonous. However, there were also positive aspects—without the noise of clanging weights or other gym members’ conversations, I found myself less distracted and more in control of my movements.

Non-verbal communication also played an important role. Since I could not hear others, I depended on visual cues and body language for interactions, which made me more observant of my surroundings.

PSYC 110 Week 2 Assignment Alopes

According to Feldman (2018), habituation refers to a decrease in responsiveness after repeated exposure to a stimulus. I observed this effect when my peripheral vision initially caught my attention frequently, but with time, I became less responsive to it. Additionally, sensory adaptation, which is the adjustment of sensory systems after prolonged exposure to unchanging stimuli, became apparent. Over time, I adjusted to the absence of sound and was able to complete my workout more effectively (Feldman, 2018).

This experiment highlighted the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt when one sense is reduced or removed. Although initially challenging, I gradually became more comfortable functioning without hearing.

Reflection: What If Hearing Loss Were Permanent?

This short-term experience gave me a deeper appreciation of how individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing navigate the world. Unlike my temporary condition, permanent hearing loss requires long-term strategies and adaptations, such as using sign language, relying on visual cues, or utilizing assistive technologies.

While the adjustment would be significant, this experiment reinforced the idea that humans are resilient and capable of adaptation. Personally, I realized that although I can temporarily function without hearing, the motivation and rhythm provided by music and environmental sounds play an important role in my daily life. My respect for individuals with permanent hearing impairments has grown tremendously, as they demonstrate resilience in adapting to challenges that others may take for granted.

References

Feldman, R. S. (2018). Understanding psychology. McGraw-Hill Education.

Franklin, J. (2022). Auditory system and perception of sound. Academic Press.

PSYC 110 Week 2 Assignment Alopes

Week 2 Lesson: Sensation, perception, and consciousness. (Week 2 Course Shell).