Scientific American Mind: "Who's Looking At Who?

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In summary, the answer is (a) Yes: a married person is looking at an unmarried person, but it cannot be determined who specifically is looking at who based on the given information.
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ƒ(x)
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This is from Scientific American Mind:

Jack is looking at Anne, and Anne is looking at George. Jack is married and George is not. Is there a married person looking at an unmarried person?

a) Yes b) No c) Can't tell from the given information
 
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  • #2
It's (a) if each is a person :) But otherwise, (c).

DaveE
 
  • #3
Lol yes, a is correct. 90% of people choose C though because they refuse to think.
 
  • #4
No. From: "Jack is looking at Anne, and Anne is looking at George. Jack is married and George is not. Is there a married person looking at an unmarried person?"

We have:

Jackm --> AnneM? UM?

AnneM? UM? --> GeorgeUM

The options are:

a) Yes b) No c) Can't tell from the given information

We have no idea from this info whether Anne is married or unmarried. However, these are the only two cases.

Case 1: If Anne is married, then Anne (married) is looking at George (unmarried)

Case 2: If Anne is unmarried, then Jack (married) is looking at Anne (unmarried)

So yes, the answer is (now) obviously a) Yes: A married person is looking at an unmarried person.

Most people get hung up on the fact that they cannot tell whether it's Jack --> Anne or Anne --> George, and say, "indeterminant," when the question isn't asking who's married or unmarried, it's asking whether "a married person" (doesn't matter who) is looking at an unmarried person (also doesn't matter who).
 
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1. What is the main topic of "Scientific American Mind: "Who's Looking At Who?"

The main topic of "Scientific American Mind: "Who's Looking At Who?" is the science behind human perception and how we perceive and interpret the gaze of others.

2. How does the gaze of others affect our behavior?

The gaze of others can have a significant impact on our behavior, as it can signal social cues and influence our actions and decisions. For example, meeting someone's gaze can convey confidence and trust, while avoiding eye contact can signal discomfort or dishonesty.

3. What are the different types of eye contact and their meanings?

There are three main types of eye contact: mutual gaze, one-sided gaze, and no gaze. Mutual gaze is when two people make eye contact with each other, signaling a sense of connection and attentiveness. One-sided gaze is when one person looks at another, but the other person does not make eye contact, which can convey a power dynamic or indifference. No gaze occurs when both individuals avoid eye contact, which can signal discomfort or disinterest.

4. How does eye contact impact social interactions and relationships?

Eye contact plays a crucial role in social interactions and relationships. It can signal interest, trust, and empathy, and can also help establish and maintain social bonds. Lack of eye contact can lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings, and can also affect the quality of relationships.

5. What are some common misconceptions about eye contact?

One common misconception about eye contact is that it always indicates honesty. While eye contact can be a sign of honesty, it can also be used to deceive or manipulate. Another misconception is that avoiding eye contact always signals dishonesty or lack of interest. In some cultures, avoiding eye contact is a sign of respect or modesty. It's important to consider cultural and situational factors when interpreting eye contact.

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