ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Psychology => Topic started by: Boots on May 31, 2010, 08:23:22 pm

Title: ASC
Post by: Boots on May 31, 2010, 08:23:22 pm

Question
Consider the amazing examples of mind over matter that you might have heard about or seen on television. For example, people lying on beds of nails, piercing themselves with spikes or walking on hot coals. How might an ASC explain the resistance to pain in these situations?

One of the answers: selective attention on a specific stimulus causes reduced awareness of other stimuli, including pain

How is selective attention an ASC?

Title: Re: ASC
Post by: Visionz on May 31, 2010, 08:53:26 pm

I think it means that if you shift your focus so youre entirely set on one stimulus you can ignore the painful stimulus.

I agree that its a crap answer. A legit answer would refer to a hypnotised or meditative state, blah blah blah.

Title: Re: ASC
Post by: Boots on May 31, 2010, 08:56:44 pm

Visonz, in meditation, we focus on ONE thing (saying 'om) so that other stimuli are blocked from consciousness. This means we are inadvertently using selective attention.

Maybe?