The data collected and the way it is represented, is an example to show how many a time statistics can be misinterpreted or manipulated to affect the affect it has on the viewer. This goes to show that statistics sometimes lie. It is used as propaganda and to influence the reader and their thoughts. From the very data collected one can notice the following –
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Though 6 people place the sense of taste at 3rd, it is not the majority of the people. At the same time there are 7 others placing it at 4th and below respectively. (In this statement as well, I have manipulated the data as I refrained from mentioning that there was 1 student who also placed it at 2nd)
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While we place the sense of touch at 4th, one can also notice that there are 4 other people who have placed it at 6th while there are 5 others who have placed it at 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
The thing with statistics is how they are represented. The positives are always represented while the negatives are conveniently left out. In many TV adverts one can see that product ‘X’ helps you by 60%. They do not mention that it is ineffective by an astounding 40%.
The data collected from the experiment done in class is relative. This means that we take it relatively to the others. When we place each one of these senses in an order we take it relative to the others in the same column. Example – we place touch at 4th and sixth sense at the end is because relatively in the 4th column, the sense of touch has a greater number as compared to the others, while at the same time it is the same number of people who have believed it to be of the least importance but relatively, as compared to the number of people who have placed the sixth sense at the end, it is lower though only 50%, not even a clear majority believe the sixth sense to be of the least importance.
Perception of majority and minority differs from time to time though it is not so. A majority means a greater number of people that half that is present. i.e. – majority > 50% whilst a minority < 50%
But in many cases, an example being the United Nations, for any resolution to pass, in the General Assembly, it needs 2/3rd majority to pass. At the same time, in the Security Council, even if 14 of the 15 nations present agree to pass the resolution (note how this is a percentage much larger than 2/3rds) if one P5 nation vetoes it, the resolution cannot be passed. The Germans used it to their advantage during the WW2 to prosecute and annihilate countless number of Jews.
The order of importance of the senses also changes with the profession one does. For a cheese or wine taster, the sense of taste is probably the most important but for a movie critic the sense of sight most probably is. Whilst at the same time for a food critic the both these senses are equally important as presentation and appearance also count. But without the sense of smell, it is said that our sense of taste decreases so this makes both these sense supplementary. For a musician the sense of hearing is essential. At the same time, for a professional gambler, the sixth sense plays a very important and pivotal role while it may be completely redundant to other professions.
This is how senses affect us in our lives and how many a time statistics lie and whether the notion of majority or miniroty is open to interpretation. I believe it finally all comes down to relativity, how one thing compares to others