Does it seem exaggerated to you? Well think twice. The University of Technology Sydney studied the case. The presence of surveillance cameras changes the way the human brain processes information. And it generates an involuntary response that is barely perceptible to the person presenting it. Surveillance cameras alter the brain.
The article is in the magazine Neuroscience of Consciousness. Psychology researchers found that video surveillance of people can modify the way the brain acts. At least, in terms of sensory perception. The report recalls previous research. The effects on conscious behavior when people know they are being observed are known. But this is the first direct evidence that being watched also has an involuntary response.
Imperceptible
«We have found direct evidence. Being visibly monitored by closed circuit television significantly affects an involuntary function of human sensory perception. “It’s about the ability to consciously detect a face.” This was stated by Kiley Seymour, lead author of the study. She is an associate professor of neuroscience and behavior at the University of Technology Sydney.
This involuntary function is a mechanism that evolved to detect potential threats in our environment. For example, predators and other humans. It seems to be enhanced when people are monitored by closed circuit television.
The scientists worked with 54 participants. They examined the effects of surveillance on an essential function of human sensory perception: the ability to detect another person’s gaze. Participants expressed little concern about being watched. But its effects on basic social processing were notable and highly significant. Even so, they were imperceptible to the participants. Surveillance cameras alter the brain without us knowing it.
Hyperaware
«Our monitored participants became hyperaware of facial stimuli. It was almost a second faster than the control group. This perceptual improvement also occurred without the participants realizing it,” adds the researcher.
This hypersensitivity to gaze is regularly shown in mental illnesses such as psychosis and social anxiety disorder. There, individuals hold irrational beliefs or worry about the idea of being watched. The study suggests the need to more closely examine the effects of video surveillance on mental processes. And how they affect public health in general.
