Abstract: The secret lies in the establishment of a neural circuit to detect one's own name.

Contents: 1. Cocktail party effect phenomenon; 2. Interpretation of traditional psychology; 3. Comments.

First, cocktail party effect phenomenon

The so-called cocktail party effect refers to the phenomenon that in various noisy environments, such as in various noisy cocktail parties, there are music, conversation, footsteps, the collision of glasses and tableware, etc. When someone focuses on enjoying music or talking with others, he will turn a deaf ear to the surrounding noise, but when someone mentions his name in another place, he can hear it immediately. This phenomenon often occurs in cocktail parties at social activities.

Second, the interpretation of traditional psychology

Traditional psychology has two main theories to explain this phenomenon:

The first theory holds that it belongs to the phenomenon of auditory attention: when an individual focuses his auditory attention on something, his consciousness excludes some irrelevant sound stimuli, while his unconscious monitors external stimuli, and once some special stimuli are related to him, he can immediately attract attention.

The second theory holds that it is a screening function of the brain to external stimuli. Those related to itself will react quickly, and those irrelevant will not enter, so cocktail party effect will occur.

Third, comments

The first theory attributed "irrelevant sound stimulation information can be excluded" to consciousness. But sometimes we listen attentively and hope to hear some information about ourselves, but it's still in vain. How can the unconscious do it? It should be noted that only when individuals consciously concentrate their attention can they give full play to the functions of screening out and selecting external stimulus information, such as listening to their favorite violin sounds in music ensemble or listening to erhu. If the unconscious is "automatically monitoring external stimuli" at this time, then why should the screening function of "attention" evolve? Isn't it contradictory to "screen" on one side and "pick up" on the other?

The second theory holds that the screening function of external stimulus information is the function of the brain, which is true, but it is not more specific than the first theory. Unfortunately, the first theory does not realize that this is a "screening function".

If we combine the two theories, we still can't explain the following phenomena: at cocktail parties, distant colleagues talk about promotion and salary increase, isn't it related to themselves? Why can't you hear me? Only to hear your own name? Babies can hear the mother's soft voice and respond during sleep, but they can't hear the father's loud voice and can't wake up even by shaking. It should be noted that the contents of these calls are the same, and they are all related to the baby himself. How can there be such a difference? When the baby wets the bed, or he just starts crying, the sleeping mother will wake up immediately, but the father doesn't know it at all! They love their children equally. Scientific hypothesis must fully explain all similar phenomena, otherwise it is an imperfect hypothesis. Look at the explanation of "perceptual growth model":

1, the sensory system has the function of filtering information, and irrelevant stimulus information can be "shut out". The sensory system can "select" the stimulus information of interest, but it must be in the state of "attention".

2. The sensory system has a special detection system for the most important stimulus information related to human beings and themselves to prevent the most important information from being "submerged in the ocean of information". There are two special detection systems, the first is the "watchman system" and the second is the "unintentional attention system".

3. The monitoring objects of these special detection systems vary from person to person.

4, the object of supervision can be inherited, can also be established the day after tomorrow. The object of supervision can be long-term or short-term.

5. The sensory system that constitutes a special detection system mainly includes hearing, but vision, touch, etc. can all be components, or be solely responsible.

Now you can explain the above questions:

1, the name belongs to special important information for oneself, so the individual has established a neural circuit for its special detection, so in various noisy environments, the individual can hear it alone without being in the state of "attention".

2. This neural circuit is established by hearing. Because it works in the state of awakening, it belongs to the "unintentional attention" system; It is a long-term effective line established the day after tomorrow.

3. Question: At the cocktail party, colleagues in the distance talked about the promotion and salary increase. Isn't it related to themselves? Why can't you hear me?

A: If you are particularly nervous and pay attention to the promotion and salary increase, you can set up a temporary and short-term special monitoring line. However, even if these scattered "cases" happen, they still won't attract the attention and summary of themselves or psychologists. Only its own name is universal, so it is summarized and its phenomenon: cocktail party effect is summarized.

If you can't hear it, it means that a temporary and short-term monitoring line has not been established.

4, the problem: the baby can hear the mother's soft call during sleep, and can respond, but can't hear the father's loud call, even shaking can't wake up. It should be noted that the contents of these calls are the same, and they are all related to the baby himself. How can there be such a difference?

A: The baby has established a long-term special monitoring line for the mother's voice, which is in the "watchman system". So he can hear and react during sleep. And he didn't establish such a neural line with his father and others, of course he couldn't hear it.

It is necessary to point out: first, babies can establish such neural circuits with the closest people, and it is not necessary for mothers. Second, as far as I know, this phenomenon is not common, or many parents have not found this phenomenon.

5. Question: If the baby wets the bed, or he just starts crying, the sleeping mother will wake up immediately, but the father has no idea! They love their children equally.

A: Just like Question 4, it is the mother who has established a long-term monitoring neural line for two special information of the baby's bed wetting and crying, while the father has not.

(submit Sina and Netease blogs on the morning of 20 12-6-9)