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@JohnAtl
Created March 27, 2023 20:57
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Prosthetics, AON, Maurice Merleau-Ponty
Write an academic discussion of the cognitive ramifications of an amputee using a prosthesis, rather than a hand, and how that can affect empathy from people observing the amputee performing reach to grasp tasks. Incorporate the work of Maurice Merleau-Ponty on phenomenology. Also incorporate research about the action observation network.
The use of a prosthetic limb by an amputee can have significant cognitive ramifications that may affect the way they perceive and interact with the world around them, as well as the way that others perceive and interact with them. Maurice Merleau-Ponty's concept of "embodiment" can be helpful in understanding these cognitive effects, as it emphasizes the role of the body in our perception and experience of the world.
One potential effect of using a prosthetic limb is the need for the amputee to integrate the prosthesis into their existing sensorimotor system. This process may require the reorganization of neural pathways and the development of new compensatory strategies, which can be cognitively demanding and may temporarily impact the amputee's overall cognitive functioning. The incorporation of the prosthesis into the amputee's embodied experience of the world may also involve significant perceptual-motor adjustments, as they must learn to use the prosthesis to perform everyday tasks that were previously accomplished with their missing limb, such as reaching and grasping objects.
The use of a prosthetic limb may also affect the way that others perceive and interact with the amputee. Research has shown that people tend to attribute more human-like qualities to prosthetic limbs, and may even anthropomorphize them to some extent. This may lead to a phenomenon known as the "uncanny valley," in which the presence of a prosthetic limb that is too realistic may cause discomfort or revulsion in observers. On the other hand, if the prosthetic limb is too obviously artificial, it may lead to a reduction in the empathy and social support that the amputee receives from others.
The action observation network, a group of brain regions that are activated when we observe someone else performing a task or action, may also play a role in the way that others perceive and interact with the amputee. Research has shown that observing an amputee using a prosthetic limb can activate the action observation network in the brains of observers, suggesting that people use this network to understand and interpret the actions of others, even when those actions involve the use of a prosthetic limb. This activation of the action observation network may also be related to the empathy that observers feel towards the amputee, as the network is thought to be involved in the perception of others' emotions and intentions.
Overall, the cognitive ramifications of using a prosthetic limb are complex and may depend on a variety of factors, including the specific characteristics of the prosthesis, the amputee's cognitive and motor abilities, and the expectations and attitudes of those observing the amputee. Further research is needed to fully understand the cognitive and social implications of prosthetic use for amputees and those around them.
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