Our perception system is flawed.
First, it is influenced by our desires, interests, and expectations.
"From the beginning, perception has been selective, and it tends to simplify the world around us. Memories continue and accelerate the process. "1Second, perception is often flawed, even within its limited range of attention.
When you were a student, you should have had the experience of believing that the answer you wrote was in the textbook, however, when you get the corrected test paper, you find that you are wrong, and then you hurriedly open the book and check the passage again, you may find that it says something else entirely.
Instant replay technology in soccer matches highlights the imperfections of human observation. What football fan doesn't let out a shout once in a while"Bad penalty!"But what about being proven wrong a moment later?We can bet on a week's salary with the certainty that the passer's foot landed in bounds, or that the striker's knee landed before the ball came out of his hand. However, the replay tells us how wrong the initial perception was.
Lawyers, police officers, psychologists, and other people who deal with human testimony have long been aware of the vagaries of perception.
The following factors can distort our perception:
First, physical factors. For example, when the light is dim, cloudy, or the target is too far away, we may experience blurred vision.
Second, physiological factors. We may be distracted at critical moments.
Third, emotional factors. If we are exhausted, or controlled by strong emotions such as fear or anger, our ability to perceive normally may be greatly reduced.
Fourth, self-fulfilling prophecy 2. Perception and expectation can be intertwinedWhen we expect an event to unfold in a certain way, that expectation may affect our perception of how the event actually unfolds.
Fifth, one's own attitude and preferences. When confronted with someone we don't like, if they speak loudly or act exaggeratedly, we may think that they are showing off themselves and trying to attract the attention of others. However, if the same behavior is seen in a friend, we may interpret it as their bubbly and outgoing personality.
1 gordon w.Allport and Leo Postman, The Psychology of Rumors (New York: Russell & Russell, 1965 [1947]), p. 100. ）
2 "Self-fulfilling prophecy" If you think you are powerful, you will really become great.