Maybe I Think Differently Because I See Differently

Ever wondered how our senses shape the way we think? It’s a fascinating concept, especially when you consider how different sensory experiences, like those between sighted and blind individuals, create unique cognitive worlds. As someone who navigates the world without sight, I’ve often wondered how this influences my thoughts and perspectives. After all, if we see the world differently, surely we think about it differently, too. Let’s explore how our sensory experiences shape our cognitive processes and perceptions.

Visual Dominance in Sighted People

For sighted people, vision dominates daily information processing. Research suggests that around 80% of their cognitive processing is tied to visual input, shaping not only how they see but also how they think. This visual dominance influences thoughts, understanding, and the focus on details like colours, shapes, and spatial relationships. Sighted individuals are often adept at processing visual patterns and details, like reading body language or interpreting facial expressions. For them, “seeing is believing,” but for those of us who cant rely on sight, belief comes from a different place altogether.

Cognitive Adaptations in Blind People

Without sight, blind people are forced to turn to other senses to form our mental landscapes. We rely on hearing, touch, and smell to navigate the world. Imagine walking into a room and, instead of scanning visually, you map it out through sound and touch. These senses aren’t just backups; they become finely tuned tools that create vivid mental representations. Over time, we develop exceptional auditory and tactile skills, and our memories sharpen to store all the information we gather through these non-visual cues.

Strengths Born from Different Senses

There are some advantages that come with thinking in a world shaped by sound, touch, and smell. For instance, blind people often excel in auditory tasks, like picking up subtle tones in conversations or identifying people by their footsteps. Memory is another area where blind people shine, as we frequently have rely on it to navigate and interact. Spatial awareness also becomes second nature, built from a blend of sound, touch, and movement that lets us “see” the world in our own way.

Beyond physical senses, abstract thinking often plays a prominent role in how we understand the world. Without the constant influx of visual distractions, our minds find other ways to stay busy—often diving into deeper, more abstract realms of thought. This can lead to an especially profound connection with concepts that aren’t tied to visual cues.

Neuroplasticity: The Brain’s Remarkable Adaptability

Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of sensory difference is neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire itself. When one sense is absent, the brain often repurposes the areas typically devoted to that sense. For blind individuals, parts of the brain usually reserved for vision get redeployed to boost other senses, supporting our enhanced skills and abilities in non-visual realms.

A Unique Cognitive Landscape

This distinct mix of sensory information creates a rich, varied internal world that offers a unique perspective on life. It’s a powerful reminder that our brains are remarkably adaptable, moulding our thoughts to the sensory input we experience. So yes, maybe I do think differently because I see differently. And maybe, that’s the beauty of it all.

#Blind #Cognition #Neuroplasticity

Posting from the persona of my day job as a research scientist studying #adolescence, early life #adversity, and #cognition using intensive #longitudinal designs and #fMRI.

I'm mostly a methods and scientific #computing nut with a strong streak of scientific #critique and desire to improve scientific practice including #OpenScience and #philosophyofscience.

I think a more just society is possible. I think improving adolescent #wellbeing depends on expanding opportunities.

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