I have been reading the works of V.S Ramachandran but nothing I have found so far completely explains this phenoma. I understand the concept of body schema but the phantom nose explanation does not give me a satifactory answer to the posed question. Please help, I have to give a presention on this question shortly. Thanks
2007-03-23 03:49:59 · 6 answers · asked by Chris DXB 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Phantom limb pain can for many subjects be relieved with the use of a mirror box to create the illusion the apendage has returned, which in turn can help relive pain. Phantom nose effect is a creatable illusion - subject is blindfolded, an acomplice sits oposit the experimenter taps the subjects nose whilst with their left hand takes the subjects finger & taps the acomplices nose at exactly the same rate. The subject will begin to feel their nose has been stretched. But this only works if you are blindfolded.... WHY
2007-03-23 04:58:46 · update #1
Phantom limb pain can for many subjects be relieved with the use of a mirror box to create the illusion the apendage has returned, which in turn can help relive pain. Phantom nose effect is a creatable illusion - subject is blindfolded, an acomplice sits oposit the experimenter taps the subjects nose whilst with their left hand takes the subjects finger & taps the acomplices nose at exactly the same rate. The subject will begin to feel their nose has been stretched. But this only works if you are blindfolded.... WHY
2007-03-23 04:59:55 · update #2
Well... I'm no specialist... but could it be because then you can't see that the limb is gone?
2007-03-23 03:55:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know a great deal about this area, but I do know that when nerve cells are severed they still fire along the remaining length. I suppose that when eyes are open, one creates a conflict between sensation and reality, which is overridden by what you see. When eyes are closed the sensation can return because there is no conflict between the two. Maybe? If there is no set answer then conjecture is the best possible solution to your presentation problem - you'll still get recognition for innovative reasoning!
2007-03-23 12:04:42 · answer #2 · answered by Rebecca 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not too sure as I'm not that knowledgeable in this field. However, if you address the question in terms of the senses and sense deprivation, that could shed some light? By closing your eyes, you deprive your body of one of the five senses, which makes the remaining active senses more alert - for example, some find it easier to listen for discreet sounds without looking. It may be that by closing your eyes (especially as this removes proof that the limb does not exist) the sense of touch/feel becomes more active.
2007-03-23 12:12:53 · answer #3 · answered by mishmash 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably because the subconcious is more prominant then as with anything lost memories time people or limbs just close your eyes to retrieve them.Its a want and a longing that cannot find divertions without the ability to look around for them xx
2007-03-23 11:01:10 · answer #4 · answered by nendlin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is inaccurate.My uncle lost his arm to a circular saw and he feel his phantom all the time.He says it feel like it's cramped and runs it under hot water to relax his muscles.
2007-03-23 11:37:59 · answer #5 · answered by Crystal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's an illusion!
it's not real, and neithers santa claus,(sorry to disappoint you)
2007-03-23 11:50:53 · answer #6 · answered by leedsunited_1919 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋