Humans and the Cold

Human Variation & Race Blog

Humans and the Cold

Humans are naturally fortified with several methods to maintain a balanced state; this is homeostasis. The purpose of this is to sustain a healthy core level so we may function productively. Climate temperatures like cold weather disturbs the stability homeostasis provides in the body. Different procedures are activated and controlled to counter-act environmental effects throughout the body before complications become too severe. Survival is key. A condition that can cause catastrophe damage to homeostasis is untreated hypothermia, this lowers core temperature until limbs have restricted mobility, frostbite, organ failure, gangrene and eventually loss of life occurs.      

Short term adaptation for humans to maintain homeostasis against the cold is simply to shiver.  When outside force effect the body like temperature drops the body has a number of built in methods (as it were) to keep the body maintain balance. Along with goose bumps another involuntary reflex is shivering; skeletal muscles spasm in an effort to heat the body by warming the muscles and creating energy. While the body shivers the hairs erected by the arrector pili muscles in the body gather warm air around the body and actively contains the warmth like insulation in order for us to return to a healthy internal temperature 98.6 degrees (hypothalamus maintains body temp along with other aspects of the body).

Facultative adaptation humans have developed is vasoconstriction. This is an additional method for maintaining homeostasis, blood flow is slowed in the body by muscles within the blood vessels that narrow and allow blood to pass to major vessels (arteries) temporarily reducing the flow to lesser vessels (smaller one like capillaries) this decreases the loss of body heat. Without the constant flow of blood the skin surface pales and drops in temperature activating the short term adaptations to retain body heat.    

                                                                         

Developmental adaptation that aids in humans against cold weather is our body built.  Living further from warm climates bodies tend to be better suited for colder weather.  While being tall and slender is common in warm climates (they have less adipose tissue that retains heat), short or thick people are better suited so they can adapt to climates that are colder without too much difficulty. The natural physiques of colder climate populations have more body heat due to their body mass or lower stature.

                                                                              

Cultural adaptation- Well one example of many to choose from that humans use is clothing style. Materials for these garments can either be synthetic or natural fibers and are very effective for extreme climates. Layers in clothing of different fibers and materials that have properties like wicking is an effect that takes perspiration away from the body, insulating properties keeps warmth in, wind and water resistant help maintain a balanced core temperature. Wool, cotton, fur, skin, polypropylene, fleece and nylon are examples of materials that can be used in cold weather. 

                                                                            

The study of environmental clines is important because with a wide variety of studies the ending results will provide information to better to understand and aid populations in diverse surroundings. Benefits we gain from the results of studying human variation in environment clines are the various adaptive measures in the human body (naturally contains or develops). This information aids us in excavating areas for scientific measures (global warming, etc), humanitarian efforts to native populations, and survival technology (communication tech, habitat, etc.) Without these results individuals with be furnished without proper equipment leading to severe consequences. 

Variations of adaptation using race as a case study would provide some valet information however I don’t know how far you can really take a study with this limitation. Races with darker pigmentation are better equipped to survive in hot climates (tropical) because the melanin in their skin naturally protects them rather than paler skin from the sun that can cause damage however they can move away to another type area and with time the body can adapt but not as effectively as they would be in their natural habitat. But using races as the base line of the study can only go so far. The studies of environmental influences are more sufficient to understand the variation of humans rather than race because nature doesn't discriminate.  

Link below demonstrates our natural reactions to temperature fluctuation (COLD/HOT)  ENJOY
 http://www.abpischools.org.uk/res/coResourceImport/modules/homeostasis_sugar/fullscreenflash6-1.cfm

Conversations with rules and limits

Part 1: You were asked to engage in a conversation for 15 minutes where you were not allowed to use

any version of a symbolic language (no speaking, writing, or ASL).

A.      I had previously thought under the circumstances that this would be easy assignment with family so I tested it to see if it worked outside of a controlled environment (like outside my home). My three daughters and I had previously agreed to meet for some early holiday shopping together at some stores and though I did not tell them of my assignment it went surprising well. By not telling them about the parameters of the exercise I wanted to observe how they would each react to my silence while we walked down aisle. The ending result was that my eldest noticed first and signaled her sisters of my silence. Interesting enough they huddled together a little away from me to discuss a reason I wouldn't be talking to them. They talked amongst each other than after they asked and was assured I was not mad about anything they awaited my cues of subtle gestures and expressions when they noticed I would not verbally respond.  This lead me to believe we spend a lot of time together because we are very in sync (which made this exercise easier than I excepted), that silence on my part didn't affect the shopping trip in a negative way.        

B.      My youngest daughter was in charge of the conversation initially because she was furthest behind in her shopping then the rest of the family. My other daughters were involved in the conversation as well asking questions and adding their opinions while I sighed or used body language to answer them. I was even able to change the topic of whose present to search for next, because I motioned with my hand to my waist which is around the height of my grandson, the gesture was seen and we headed to the boys section of the store for a present. I picked items up in the store and displayed them for prospective gifts and if we agreed they went to the cart if not it was discussed and though we stated our opinions in different ways until it was settle but usually it was unanimous on chooses. This was conducted with three individuals (my daughters) along with me; and it went fairly well but I’m not sure it would have the same ending results if it were to be with strangers for example. I felt equally involved in the conversations perhaps even more so because they would pause and look to me for my answers while shopping.   

C.      I believe both individuals (verbally and non) are equally match within their own population to communicate complex ideas. Spoken language is universal but we are also able to formulate gestures and motions to associate with words so the result is very much the same in my opinion.  Verbal and non-verbal cultures may express some frustration while interacting until a middle ground it met but the same can be said if two verbal cultures speak different languages until a basic line of communication is established.   

Part 2: You were asked to spend 15 minutes communicating without any physical embellishments, i.e., no hand signals, not vocal intonation, not head, facial, or body movements.

·         This experience was not as simple in the same way as the one before hand because without the use of body language of any fashion on my part the conversation seemed to drag on rather than last 15 minutes, my interest in the conversation along with my partners was scattered and lifeless. I struggled not to gesture to my daughters which had us repeat the exercise twice so that the rules of the assignment were properly conveyed.  They tried to engage me in conversation on the way to dinner but to no avail the conversation on my part was lacking. My daughters eventually turned my nonchalant tone into a game by teasing the others. They would state things like “See she agrees with me so let’s do this” or “She’s on my side cause I’m the favorite, see she doesn't deny it” or “I broke that thing that one time” and while I was able to speak it was hard to be less enthusiastic as I normally do while talking without tones and not using body language.  

·         I believe signs and gestures in our daily language are very important, being able to express things with non-speech techniques help us communicate effectually even when we don’t know were using them. A conversation without body language takes some of the interest and much needed embodiment out of our speech leaving it emotionless. Everyone from professionals to children use and read body language to gather information like another’s their state of mind, creative perspective (personality) and communication skills (education wise). When we speak to people under certain circumstances like hostage situations, depressed individuals, altered state of minds body language can play a key role on how we can evaluate them and respond accordingly. And though humans can describe feels and intentions thoroughly, being observant through body language is an aide that continues to provide insight on others on an everyday base.

·         People who have trouble reading body language may misunderstand certain aspects in conversations and situations which can lead to poor results. Social cues help us navigate society and I think if someone is having a difficult time reading and understanding body language it won’t be too hard to identify them. A situation that benefits from not reading someone’s body language for example is if someone has recently experienced a trauma leaving them delusional (they may have an altered state of mind) what they say or do may be questionable, or perhaps encountering a highly intelligent criminal (pathological liars) who ensures that the situation is going to be ok, even calming children can benefit when they don’t understand body language of a situation and only rely on reassuring words from someone. All and all in most situations benefit from body language but certain experiences may have good results if body language isn't observed.