Abstract In this article the writer reviews and contrasts two physical impairments, blindness and deafness, using scholarly research on the subject of blindness and visual impairment as well as Nora Ellen Groce's "Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language: Hereditary Deafness on Martha's Vineyard". The writer maintains that most people believe that to see is to perceive acutely and hence to understand, while to hear without seeing leaves one left to conjure up pictures in the mind's eye as to what likely is there making the sound. Further, the writer points out, not only are people uninformed about eyesight during aging, but they tend to be ignorant of local resources available to them. The writer maintains that according to a study, the most effective tools for informing people about eyesight issues are newspapers for adults and the Internet for younger people.
Outline:
Introduction
Blindness, Low Vision, and the Search for a Model
Deafness on Martha's Vineyard
Deafness in Two Swedish Counties
Blindness - "Promoting a Message on Vision Loss..."
Works Cited
From the Paper "To be deaf, or blind; if a hundred people were given that choice, hypothetically, how many would choose deafness over being sightless? Ninety? Ninety-five? All one hundred? It would likely be most, if not all, one hundred, because vision offers so much to the brain, the senses, and the heart."
"That is not to discount the impact of serious hearing loss, but clearly, most people believe that to see is to perceive acutely and hence to understand, while to hear without seeing leaves one left to conjure up pictures in the mind's eye as to what likely is there making the sound. Approaching a train crossing in reckless fashion without the aid of auditory support is potentially suicidal, of course; but approaching a train crossing with no auditory abilities and yet using keen eyesight for oncoming train traffic is making the best of an impaired situation - and also it is just the use of good sound human judgment."
Abstract This paper discusses conformity as a consequence of social perception that influences behavior. The paper examines the concept of conformity from the context of its significance in social psychology. Issues concerning conformity such as the need for acceptance, the role of authority and when and why conformity occurs are addressed by the paper.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine the phenomenon of conformity as consequence of social perceptions that influence behavior. The plan of the research will be to set forth the context in which this issue achieves significance in social psychology and then to assess when people are most likely to conform to normative social influences. To that end, the research will discuss the need for acceptance, when and why conformity occurs, the importance of accountability in a social context ,the power of propaganda to effect conformity..."
Abstract This paper discusses the life of an individual who has the sensory impairment of deaf-blindness. The paper goes into detail of how a person with this impairment must live and learn to communicate, using methods other than vision and hearing. Different methods are introduced as well as opinions and research by experts in the field. Finally, there are individual testimonies as well as techniques, which allow communication to occur.
From the Paper "After communication is successfully achieved there are still many difficulties that a person must face. We all have to remember that a deaf-blind individual may actually have no sight or hearing. Venturing outside of the home and classroom is often very difficult. One thing to make hearing, seeing, or both people aware of is that when outside, deaf-blind individuals use a red and white cane."
Abstract This papers begins with Heward's chapter on blindness and low vision and their nature as sources of individuality and challenges in educational settings. It looks at how Heward favours understanding of the visually impaired as having a different perception of life and the world. He is also a proponent of rectifying Braille as compared to Internet sources selling appliances to aid blind, low vision students as though these were essential.
From the Paper "Individuals faced with blindness or low vision as a lifelong or acquired disability are apt to confront a great variety of materials, especially, on subjects of adaptations that are possible to permit normal living, including the needs of Education. This paper explores a number of substantial Internet sites addressing blindness and low vision, directly, and with reference to other published material in William L. Heward's chapter on blindness and low vision in the 2002 edition of Exceptional Children - Introduction to Special Education (402-437)."
Abstract This paper examines the role of priming on several social psychology behaviors including attitudes, judgements and conformity. The paper provides a description of priming and of each of the social behaviors discussed in the paper. The paper then focuses on describing past research that shows the ways in which priming affects these behaviors.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Priming Attitudes/Judgments
Priming Social Conformity
From the Paper "Schemas are cognitive representations of nonsocial and social objects that are stored in memory in associative networks. Activation of a schema increases its accessibility in the present and in the future. One way to activate a schema is through priming. Priming is any experience or mental activity that occurs prior to an event or situation and which increases the likelihood that relevant schema will be made more accessible. Such experiences or activities are referred to as primes and primes vary in the level of activation or accessibility they create. The minimum prime required to activate a schema is called the response threshold (Moskowitz, 2005). This can then affect a perception, judgment, and/or behavior by associative processes in memory. In this paper I will examine priming effects on judgments and social conformity by describing several relevant studies and their results."
Abstract This paper discusses the pros and cons of pursuing a full inclusion policy of placing blind children in general education classrooms.
From the Paper "Since the passage of the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) and its reauthorization, educators have confronted tremendous pressure to mainstream children with disabilities in deference to the IDEA's least restrictive environment (LRE) provision. Essentially, to the extent possible, children with disabilities, including blind children, should be educated alongside their non-disabled peers in general education classrooms."
Abstract An examination of how the themes of obedience and conformity are reflected in society, as well as in George Orwell's novel, "1984." The paper explains the nature of society's influence on the individual.
From the Paper "In George Orwell's frightening account of a society not too far removed from our own we find ourselves considering the nature of society's influence upon the individual and how that might be affected via propaganda, rhetoric advertisement or authority. The same notions have been considered by psychologists for quite some time."
Abstract This paper discusses the proposition that gender differences are learned, imposed by the society that spawns them and then perpetuates them from one generation to the next. The paper suggests that men conform to the gender requirements of their society, requirements conveyed to them as cultural biases that they then emulate.
From the Paper "Sex differences are biological, while gender differences are cultural. This means that gender differences are learned, imposed by the society that spawns them and then perpetuates them from one generation to the next. Men conform to the gender requirements of their society, requirements conveyed to them as cultural biases that they then emulate. Men thus come out more or less with the same basic way of thinking and the same modes of behavior because those are culturally dictated to say what count as masculine traits and what do not. Asch (originally 1955) noted the power of conformity and the fact that conformity is defined as "behavior that adheres to the behavior patterns of a particular group of which that individual is a member" (Hock, 1992, p. 290). Such persons are guided by unspoken rules of conduct found in "social norms" of conduct."
Abstract The paper examines the study by M. Knauff and E. May entitled "Mental Imagery, Reasoning and Blindness", which presents evidence that is relevant to the study of mental imagery in congenitally blind individuals. The paper also examines the study by A. Vanlierde and M.C. Wanet-Defalque entitled "The Role of Visual Experience in Mental Imagery", which examines the impact of visual experience on mental imagery formation. Additionally, the paper looks at a study by S. Lambert and colleagues entitled "Blindness and Brain Plasticity: Contribution of Mental Imagery?", which is concerned with the responses of the brain, particularly the primary visual area (PVA) in blind individuals during participation in mental imagery. The paper concludes that it appears that visual imagery does not occur in those blinded early in life but only in those who are blinded later in life.
Outline:
Visual Imagery and Interference
The Role of Visual Experience in Mental Imagery
Blindness and Brain Plasticity
Summary and Conclusions
From the Paper "The study by Knauff and May (2006) focused predominantly on the interference which visual imagery may exert on reasoning ability. It does however also present evidence which is relevant to the study of mental imagery in congenitally blind individuals.
"The study cites several previous studies which have shown that there are differences in the use of visual images in sighted people and those who are congenitally blind. It has also been shown through these studies that the use of spatial reconstruction is not significantly different between the two groups. It is this information which was used as the basis for the experimental design which the study used. The hypothesis is also based upon this information, along with the information from previous studies which have shown that visual imagery interferes with reasoning where spatial imagery does not."
Abstract This paper analyzes the question through philosophical, medical, and semantic rationale. It shows why many would argue against the fact that blind people can technically visualize color, but it also contends that many blind people have vividly described color and the how it effects all the senses.
From the paper:
"The question at hand is, "Do blind people (from birth) have a concept of color"? In answering this fairly, I must be extremely careful not to think myself superior, nor to dare think that I know better what is happening inside the mind of my blind neighbor than she herself may do. However, this is a question that seems to have long plagued philosophy, and it remains a profound metaphor for the relationship between experience and understanding. Therefore, it must be approached with both an eye to the actual experiences and thoughts of those who have been born blind, and to the long held ideas of science and philosophy."
A look at Georgina Kleege's essay, "Call It Blindness", in which she describes how people view and stereotype the blind as well as her view of her condition, blindness.
1,640 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 1 source, 2000, $ 53.95
From the Paper "In Georgina Kleege's essay, Call It Blindness, she describes how people view and stereotype the blind as well as her view of her condition, blindness. Kleege explains how eyes are supposively the windows to ones soul, and how important the eyes are pertaining to love and beauty. The eyes have certain qualities that "glow with affection, smolder with passion, dilate with emotion"(Kleege 397), and without the trait of vision people view the blind as less attractive or even having uncontrollable sexuality."
Abstract The paper discusses how there is great similarity in the stories, "Blindness" by Jose Saramago and "The Plague" by Albert Camus, both which deal with different types of plagues. The plague by Camus is similar to the black plague, spread by rats. In "Blindness" the white blindness starts with an unnamed man simply called the motorist who becomes blind driving into town. The paper shows how both books offer character studies of people caught or trapped in a situation from which there seems no escape.
From the Paper "The children in both Blindness (the little girl) and in the Plague represent innocence caught up in madness. In both stories the madness is caused by a disease but it is the break down of society that is the real story. Without the constraints of society and laws people revert back to their lowest forms, like animals on the hunt for survival. Only the children are innocent and without guile. They are caught in a situation they don't understand. They are the true victims in both stories because there is nothing they can do to help themselves. They can't become a hero like the doctor's wife and the doctor in the Plague. They can't save themselves like Cottard with his evil machinations. They are both left to the vagaries of fate with their only hope in others."
Abstract Atwood's novel, The Blind Assassin, is a novel of embedded stories, memoirs, newspaper clippings, a novel written by one of the characters, and stories told by a distant and secret relation within the family's daughters, Iris and Laura. Blindness is offered as a kind of purposeful ignorance, or a refusal to look at what is happening, and as well as a kind of freedom from the consequences of knowing what is happening. In the contexts of Iris' recollections, her family represents a Pandora's Box of secrets and betrayals, and as the novelist, Atwood is referring to the ways family secrets can destroy a family. The Blind Assassin is, however, much more than a story about secrets, but a revelation about writing, remembering, and living in the shadows of our own lives.
Abstract Oedipus, the main character in Sophocles' play "Oedipus Rex", could not see the truth, but the blind man, Teiresias, "saw" it plainly. This paper discusses how Sophocles uses blindness as a motif in the play since Oedipus, known for his intelligence, is ignorant and therefore blind to the truth about himself and his past. It also shows that when Teiresias exposes the truth he is shunned and how Oedipus has to overcome his "blindness," realize the truth and accept fate.
From the Paper "Unwillingly, Teiresias the blind seer provides Oedipus with the hurtful truth. Although before the truth is announced, Oedipus describes Teiresias as a "seer: student of mysteries." Oedipus looks to Teiresias for help in finding the murderer of the former king. He is trusted and respected by everyone in the city as evidenced by his introduction as "the holy prophet In whom, alone of all men, truth was born." Yet, when Teiresias speaks, reluctantly but honestly to Oedipus, he is shunned and his credibility and motives are attacked. Oedipus accuses Teiresias of plotting against him and helping Kreon become king. He claims that Kreon " has brought this decrepit fortune-teller, this collector of dirty pennies, this prophet fraud" to him."
Abstract This paper takes a look at various blind musicians and the contributions they have made to the music world. The paper discusses the life and work of Blind Tom, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and Blind Lemon Jefferson.
Outline:
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Contributions of Blind Musicians
Conclusion
From the Paper "By the time he reached his majority, Blind Tom possessed a repertoire of hundreds of pieces, all contained in his memory alone. In would appear, that in this individual's case, the inability to see also accentuated his other auditory abilities: "Tom's memory extended to other auditory information besides music: he could repeat without error conversations of up to fifteen minutes that he had overheard. He could also sing back songs in French or German (which, of course, he could not understand) after only one hearing" (Winner, 1996, p. 134). While musical savants may be the rule rather than the exception when it comes to musical genius, there are some well-known examples of blind musical prodigies as well but these musicians have not received as much attention. According to Haroutounian (2000), musical prodigies in general typically reach an advanced stage of development quickly and are capable of pursuing professional careers at an early age; however, some musical prodigies tend to experience a sort of "mid-life crisis" when they reached adolescence: "What happens to the bird who sings and doesn't know how it sings? That's what happens to child prodigies. They wake up and ask themselves dangerous questions about how they do it -- and they have no answers" (Haroutounian, 2000, p. 3). Furthermore, Goldstein (1998) reports that most traditional colleges and universities are ill-prepared to address the special needs of musical prodigies in general and blind students in particular, so it is a wonder that there are any professional blind musicians at all, but some persevere and these individuals are discussed further below."
