Establishing whether human senses and sensory data can be relied on in providing an accurate view of the world is highly controversial. This is because human senses often have the potential of providing accurate interpretation of our environment. Similarly, human senses present some detrimental weaknesses that affect their ability in the interpretation of sensory data. The paper examines the reliability of the human senses and interpretation of sensory information.
Reasons for Believing in the Accuracy of Sensory Data
The first the rationale for believing in accuracy of sensory information is based on the process through which humanity perceives experiences. Barth, Patrizia, & Klein, (2011) identifies perception as a sensory experience in which people recognizes the world surrounding them. Perception also defines how individuals are likely to respond toward their environment. Human senses are accurate because they perceive and classify the information that the brain utilize in interpreting the situation or experience. The rational of believing in the accuracy of the sensory data is informed by the fact that the initially developed knowledge enables humanity perceive to be true (Weiner, 2013). Particularly, humanity uses the prior knowledge in making informed decisions. For example, with the right sensory information, a person is able to distinguish an experience is a being good, bad, poor or excellent among others. Lastly, the data attained from senses is vital particularly in establishing the foundation for learning and behavioral aspects in the future (Buford, 2011). For example, persons must use the first hand information obtained from their senses to be able to learn.
Factors Contributing to Accuracy of Sensory Data
Various factors are attributable to the reliability of the sensory information. One aspect that essentially enhances the accuracy of sensory data includes the sensation. Sensory system creates clean sensation that the body perceives directly and in hostile encounters that trigger humanity’s attentiveness. Furthermore, the interpretation element that assumes all perceptions by the human brain and classifies them in diverse and distinct ways, highlight an aspect that contribute to the accuracy of sensory information. Interpretation happens in diverse contexts, which highlights the diversity presented by the human population (Weiner, 2013). Furthermore, individuals are able to identify helpful relationships amongst the available options. Lastly, factors such as sleep and drugs have the potential of affecting the accuracy of the sensory data. For example, lack of good sleep results to an exhausted brain, a factor that capable of affecting the interpretation of the perceived information. Moreover, particular drugs such as narcotics are capable of affecting the functioning ability of the brain. Other drugs can prompt hallucination that can impair the activities of the brain (Barth, Patrizia, & Klein, 2011).
The roles of “nature” and “nurture” with regard to the interpretation and evaluation of sensory data
In the context of nature, the perceptual synthesis that defines the human knowledge emanates from the inborn elements in through which sensory experiences are structured (Weiner, 2013). This means the role of nature in the interpretation of the perceived information is vital because it forms the bases from which people gain knowledge and experiences. In the context of nurture, some scholars believe that interpretation that individuals develop regarding the world is based on the perception of the experiences that have been created in the world (Buford, 2011). This perspective is highlighted by the fact that infants need experience to activate innate visual mechanism of brain that they are born with. However, it is apparent that both nature and nurture assumes a strategic role in the interpretation of sensory data.
References
Barth, F. G., Patrizia, G.-D., & Klein, H.-D. (2011). Sensory perception: Mind and matter. Wien: Springer.
Buford, T. O. (2011). Know thyself: An essay in social personalism. Lanham, Md: Lexington Books.
Weiner, I. B. (2013). Handbook of psychology. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.
