posted on Dec, 15 2004 @ 09:01 PM
Functional MRI scans of university students were used to study their reactions to 'subliminal' images of frightened faces. Researchers found that a
variety of people would have a reaction to the subliminal frightened faces, and that people who were overly anxious had a stronger reaction than
others. Importantly, they found that it was the amygdala, a portion of the brain responsible for many subconcious actions, that was the source of the
activity. They also found that all groups reacted similarly to non-subliminal images but with a different part of their brain.
story.news.yahoo.com
People all over the world respond similarly to a fearful expression, even a photograph of one. In this case, the face appeared and disappeared so
quickly the volunteers could have had no conscious awareness of it.
"Psychologists have suggested that people with anxiety disorders are very sensitive to subliminal threats and are picking up stimuli the rest of us
do not perceive," said Joy Hirsch, who worked on the study.
"Our findings now demonstrate a biological basis for that unconscious emotional vigilance."
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
Truly interesting is it not? The subconcious reacts to these images, and in a greater degree for people with this natural jumpiness. And its all
happening in the more 'primitive' parts of the brain, the sections that evolved earlier and that are responsible for automated primal functions.
Related News Links:
cpmcnet.columbia.edu
fmri.org
www.sciencedirect.com
[edit on 7-2-2005 by Banshee]