The Brain: Correlation, Unity, and Damage

Correlation vs. Causation. Correlation is different from causation. Causation is the relationship between cause and effect; the action of causing something to happen. Whereas correlation is when two or more events happen about the same time that could possibly be associated but has no direct cause/effect relationship. A better explanation stated in our book, is that there is a point A and point B. Also, there can be three possible explanations: A can cause B, B can cause A, but there is always a third-factor C. Factor C can be the cause of both A, and B. Regardless of explanation, you can see why it is so easily confused. Wegner’s theory states that it is the “confusion between correlation and causation that leads us to think our thoughts cause our actions”.

Unity. I found this section to be extremely intriguing. I found myself really enthralled on the section about blindsight and dual personalities. Blindsight is the ability to respond to visual information without consciously seeing it. It makes me think about when I navigate my way through my house at night with absolutely no lights on. I live in the country, so when the lights are out it is pitch black throughout my home. Yet, somehow, I can find my way from the bedroom, down the hall, and into my bathroom. Or even just simply walking across the room and turning on the lamp. I can't see my hand in front of my face, yet I know exactly where on the wall the light switch is. I can imagine it would be like how a blind person is able to navigate throughout their home or the ability to pick up on things. I have always just assumed that in losing or not having one sense, others would be heightened. I also found myself captivated by dual personality. I do not completely understand it but find it to be extremely fascinating. I have been looking forward to taking Abnormal Psychology and Criminal Psychology in hopes the one of the courses goes further into depth on this subject. It seems like a lot of children to commit heinous crimes at young ages seem to have this disorder. I am curious as to what causes this to happen. I also understand that research shows that a lot of people who tormented with various types of abuse typically are diagnosed with dual personalities. I can even understand why this could happen, but I want to understand the deeper why.

Damaged brains. This section also caught my attention, but I feel like it was more because the familiarity of the topic versus my interest to know more. A lot of the focus was on amnesia which is typically caused by brain damage, disease, or psychological trauma. The two different types of amnesia, anterograde and retrograde affect the mind in different ways. Anterograde is the minds failure to transfer new information from short-term to long-term memory. Retrograde, however is the failure to retrieve information that is acquired before a specific date, such as memories of your life prior to an accident. During my readings I thought a lot about my cousin Bobby and his accident. I always questioned what could cause him to become essentially an entirely different person. I was quite young when the accident occurred so my understanding at the time was limited. However, now I have a better “medical” idea on what occurred during that time. But I never thought about psychologically what could have transpired. Most of my thoughts have centered around the disconnection your mind seems to go through and why it is necessary. I feel like your consciousness almost shuts off part of your mind to keep you from recalling events that could be detrimental to you. As if your mind creates “amnesia” as a healing mechanism, whether physical or mental. The only way I can think to explain it is for example, energy saving mode. Is it possible that your mind is shutting down parts of your brain to conserve “energy” for healing? And if you are never fully healed, maybe this is why you never regain your memories. So many mysteries in such a small space.