The uncertainty principle

The uncertainty principle is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics, which states that it is impossible to simultaneously know the exact position and momentum of a particle with absolute certainty. This means that the more precisely we know the position of a particle, the less precisely we can know its momentum, and vice versa.

The uncertainty principle was first formulated by Werner Heisenberg in 1927 and is often expressed mathematically as: Δx * Δp >= h/4π, where Δx is the uncertainty in the position of the particle, Δp is the uncertainty in its momentum, and h is Planck's constant.

The uncertainty principle has important implications for the behavior of subatomic particles, as it means that they cannot be precisely described or predicted in the same way that macroscopic objects can be. Instead, quantum mechanics uses probabilistic descriptions to predict the behavior of particles, based on the wave function that describes the probability distribution of the particle's position and momentum.

The uncertainty principle also has broader implications for our understanding of the nature of reality, as it challenges our intuition and classical conceptions of how the world works. It has become a central concept in modern physics and has led to the development of many important technologies, including the scanning tunneling microscope and the laser.

Uncertainty and Autism -  A Quantum Perspective 

Kindness is the sunshine that brightens up the world

Compassion is the light that shines in the darkness of pain

 

Towards a more Humane Society.  Contemplating a different emotion and writing one line each day on it. #MentalHealth. This month is Compassion 

Temporal Binding Window and Autism

[Concepts in Sensorimotor Research]

Temporal binding window (TBW) refers to the specific time frame during which the brain integrates and processes information from different sensory modalities. It is the period in which the brain combines and links stimuli occurring close in time and attributes them to a single event. This window is crucial for the perception of synchrony and the formation of coherent perceptual experiences.

In autistics, research suggests alterations in the TBW due to difficulties in accurately perceiving and integrating sensory information across different modalities, leading to difficulties in forming a unified perception of the world.

One aspect of the TBW that has been extensively studied in relation to autism is audiovisual integration. Typically, individuals are sensitive to the relative timing of auditory and visual stimuli and can perceive them as belonging to a single event when presented within a certain temporal proximity. However, studies have shown that autistics may have a broader or more extended TBW. This means that they require a longer temporal proximity between auditory and visual stimuli to perceive them as synchronized.

This winder TBW has implication in terms of social communication and interaction since the perception of synchrony is crucial for understanding and interpreting non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, gestures, and vocal intonations. Difficulties in integrating sensory information across different modalities can also contribute to sensory processing issues commonly observed in individuals with autism, such as hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to certain stimuli.

TBW may also influence higher-level cognitive processes such as attention, perception of causality, and the ability to predict and anticipate events. Disruptions in these processes can impact the ability to understand the temporal structure of events and may contribute to difficulties with executive functioning.