Mental resonance is analogue to the corresponding phenomena in material systems

Korea Andong Dano Festival By Robert at Picasa

Systems can oscillate at varying frequencies. Resonance occurs when a system can store, transform, and transmit energy enhances amplitude at specific frequencies. For example, swings have a natural frequency of oscillation, on which they produce greater amplitude. The phenomenon is not limited to physical systems. Resonance has been observed in biological systems and even emotional animals. In animals and people, resonance entails an enhanced emotional response to specific situations. 

A beautiful example of temporal interference of the mind is described on Wikipedia. The setup is a game with an equal chance of winning $200 or losing $100. After the first game, participants are given a choice to play the second round. Unexpectedly, the response is dependent not on the result of the first game but on knowing the outcome. Whether people are told they won the first play or lost the first play, most people choose to play the second round. The common expectation is that the two rounds should be independent of each other. 

Nevertheless, when people are in the dark about the results, they choose not to play the second time. The outcome should be the average of the two outcomes but instead, the results reflect a quantum interference, like the results of double-slit experiments in physics. (In this experiment, the photon travels through two slits to a screen producing an interference pattern there.) Awareness of the score creates interaction, which eliminates interference. Without the results, the situation remains open. 

In everyday life, the phenomenon can take many forms, such as a scientific search for an elusive particle, hunting for a wild game, or waiting for a lost love. Without the certainty of ‘knowing,’ the mind is in quantum limbo and retains the ability for interference.

The reason for the above phenomena is the self-regulating nature of the emotional animal brain. Mental interference is an energy redistribution process whereby personal emotional tendencies are exaggerated or extinguished over time. In other words, interference exaggerates curiosity. The momentary energy peak can spur quick, arbitrary decisions and purchases. Advertisements take advantage of the narrow focus of excitement and try to spur action (buying) in a short time window. For example, you might admire your friend's new phone. An interference via an advertisement can prompt a purchase without remembering the original inspiration. Such interference produces social phenomena by way of temporal waves and bursts. Positive interference often leads to exaggerated interest, such as an investment bubble. However, over time, negative interference extinguishes enthusiasm and produce avoidance.  

Mental interference also occurs in our everyday lives. Degraded surroundings induce delinquent behavior, and the smelling of household cleaners promotes cleanliness; playing violent video games increases aggressivity, but prosocial games encourage friendliness. Understanding the above phenomenon better can help you make more thoughtful decisions.

The book on Amazon           Sign up for my mailing list.

     

Copyright © 2017 by Eva Deli

Emotional hysteresis regulates the behavior of intelligent animals

The memory-dependent behavior of elastic and ferromagnetic materials is known as hysteresis. Unlike elasticity, which represents a flexible state, hysteresis involves deformation due to excessive force, resulting in warming. It also requires a cooling period before returning to the initial state. Hysteresis-like behavior can be observed in various systems, including neurology, histology, cell biology, genetics, respiratory psychology, economics, game theory, and unemployment. In these instances, the disturbed system only regains its characteristic behavior after a delay. Because the stimulation threshold depends on their emotional history in emotion-forming animals, they can exhibit this behavior.  

In emotion-forming animals, the degree of irritation influences behavior. For example, at moderate stress, a dog will exhibit a smooth transition of responses, requiring much larger irritation to move from cowed to angry. At higher stress levels, irritation causes the dog to reach a 'fold' point, suddenly snapping into angry mode. Once in 'angry' mode, it will remain angry even if the direct irritation parameter is considerably reduced. This necessary period for the dog to calm down is analogous to the delayed recovery of heated-up elastic material. 

Similarly, adopting attitudes from others can lead to social ferromagnetism. Social groups function as emotional ferromagnets. A shared emotional orientation guides thinking and behavior in most situations. This is why social groups often shop at the same stores, take similar vacations, vote for the same candidates, and hold similar views on many issues. The field shapes individual attitudes in nearly every problem. The collective opinion evolves constantly and gradually over time due to its members' experiences and emotional influences. 

This shared orientation, guided by the social field, is exemplified by the formation of opinions. For example, peers' behavior and personal intentions can better predict individual responses to challenges. Because social groups have such a powerful influence on behavior, behavioral modification spreads like an infectious disease within these groups. This phenomenon holds true even among people who do not know one another! The finding was revealed by a social study on happiness, quitting smoking, and discontent but likely extends to many other behaviors and habits (Hill, 2010). A recent study found that social media groups create a social bubble, limiting available information to like-minded individuals and leading to a collective social bias. Indeed, recent surprising social changes in many countries (Brexit, the Arab Spring, or the election of Donald Trump) might stem from such a collective attitude. 

Picture credit: Dogs By Peter Wadsworth

The book Emotional Reasoning: Insight into the Conscious Experience was published on August 30, 2024. 

To order:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon Books

From the Publisher

       

Copyright © 2017 by Eva Deli