I am embarassed to say that I have forgotten how the unusual
perception of temperature works--I know that if you grab a hot pipe
and a cold pipe at the same time they will seem opposite to what they
are. And I know somehow this relates back to adaptation and
sensitization of receptors but I have forgotten the exact mechanism.
I ask because I had an odd experience this past weekend. I was in Las
Vegas where it was 108 degrees after the sun was down behind the hotel
we were at. I decided since the sun was no longer shining on the pool
and sunburn was not anissue, it was time for me to hit the water. As I
entered the pool, the water felt cool, and I submerged myself. I then
sat on a ledge in the pool so that I was out of the water from about
chest up. Well here is the unusual perception: the part of my body out
of the water, where it was 108 degrees and no wind felt cold, and the
part of my body in the water felt comfortably warm--which it probably
was! But I had to keep dunking the top part of myself to 'warm up'! I
must have persisted at this for one hour, I was so enthralled with the
experience.
So, of course I tried to draw on all my accessible knowledge to figure
out the unusual feeling but found myself drawing a blank. I think I
might be able to parlay this into a great teaching moment if I can
remember the exact mechanism. I suspect the heat receptors in the top
part of my body, that had been exposed to the extreme heat all day,
were quite fatigued but it's still not clear to me.
So I call on smart tipsters to explain.
Annette
Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph. D.
Professor of Psychology
University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110
619-260-4006
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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