Supernormal stimulation

With the rapid pace of technology, have we been able to keep up with the new stimulation that is available? Some research suggests that certain things we enjoy today would be classified as supernormal stimuli, a term evolutionary biologists use to describe any stimulus that elicits a response stronger than the stimulus that evolved-even if it’s artificial.

What are supernomal stimuli?

Nikolaas Tinbergen, a Nobel Prize winning ethologist, is the father of the term supernormal stimuli

• He constructed plaster eggs to see which a bird preferred to sit on, finding that they would select those that were larger, had more defined markings, or more saturated color
• In a very quick span of time he was able to influence the behavior of these animals with a new “super” stimulus that they found themselves attracted too, and which they preferred over the real thing

Junk food

The highly addictive nature of junk food is one of our generation’s great concerns-food is being engineered specifically to be more appealing than its natural counterparts.

• It could be argued that for a large span of time humans had a relatively stable palette.
• Now, a new food “concoction” comes out every week.

What should you do?

Remember-everything in moderation

• We are all perfectly capable of using and engaging with supernormal stimuli
• The key is spotting the stimuli as they appear, and engaging the mind to regulate or override temptation
• Only awareness will help stop the supernormal from becoming what is ‘normal’ in our lives

TV & Video Games

Television addiction may cause some users to elicit the signs of a behavioral addiction

• Users often watch TV to change mood, but the relief that’s gotten is only temporary, and often brings them back for more.
• Computer games have been linked to escapism
• Some studies have found symptoms of withdrawal in a very small subset of subjects

Deciding What’s Normal

Avoid habituation

• Giving something up for just a small period of time can help you understand its place in your life
• If you try to stay away from something for a few days, and you find yourself becoming anxious and agitated, that could be your body telling you something

Pornography

Probably the most controversial of all modern stimuli, pornography has been described as insidious in nature because it might skew the otherwise normal activity of sex

• Porn has been linked to changing sexual tastes, and some argue that porn can become a “never-ending” supply of dopamine
• It’s been suggested that pornography messes up the “reward circuitry” in human sexuality

The Internet

Psychologists are beginning to recognize that the internet may be an addictive outlet

• It allows unfettered control to engage in nearly anything
• Social media has been shown to make some depressed
• Internet overuse may be hurting people’s ability to focus
• The quick bursts of entertainment the internet provides may cause a decrease in conceptual and critical thinking

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