Perspective | Navigate the Chaos

Perspective

Preface

My undergraduate advisor, the brilliant Dr. Jolyon P.. Girard would tell me, and his other students in each class, “if your mother tells you she loves you, check it out.” Sounds harsh at first but upon consideration and reflection, such an statement serves as the foundation to this essay on perception. Your mother may indeed love you. She may also tell you that she loves you. But if she lacks actual ways of showing you love does she love you? Her perception is that she loves you. From your perspective, however, you may not see it so. This essay explores the fundamental difference between perception and perspective.

Introduction

This introduction opens up with two quotes from Buddha combined for ease of use here “I stopped explaining myself when I realized people only understand from their level of perception” and “if you truly want to change your life, you first must be willing to change your mind.”

The first observation examines what happens when we explain ourselves. In short, we often assume our perspective will be easily grasped by others. However, the reality is that people interpret information through their own experiences and viewpoints, which may be vastly different from our own. This means that explanations might be misunderstood or dismissed based on an individual's current level of perception. Instead of forcing our perspective onto others, we can acknowledge that each person sees the world through a unique lens. Embracing this idea allows us to communicate more effectively by focusing on shared experiences or common ground. Recognizing that others may not fully understand our intentions helps in reducing frustration and fosters more meaningful interactions.

The second observation focuses on engaging in the work required to transform your life. To do so, you must first be open to changing your own perspectives. This internal shift is crucial for personal growth and understanding. When we challenge our own beliefs and attitudes, we begin to see the world in a new light. This change in mindset not only affects how we perceive ourselves but also how we interact with others. By evolving our own level of perception, we create the possibility for deeper connections and more effective communication. It’s through this willingness to adapt our views that we can foster genuine change in our lives and relationships. Thus, the journey of self-improvement starts with a readiness to embrace a different way of perceiving.

Definition

Here’s a look at the etymology of both terms:

Perception:
- Origin: Latin
- Root: The word "perception" comes from the Latin "perceptio," which means "a taking or receiving." This, in turn, derives from "percipere," which means "to perceive" or "to seize."
- Components:
  - "Per-" (through, completely)
  - "Capere" (to seize or take)
- Evolution: The Latin term "perceptio" was adopted into Old French as "perception," and it entered Middle English in the 14th century, retaining the meaning related to sensing or understanding.

Perspective:
- Origin: Latin
- Root: The word "perspective" comes from the Latin "perspectiva," meaning "science of optics" or "viewing," derived from "perspectus," the past participle of "perspicere," which means "to look through" or "to examine."
- Components:
  - "Per-" (through)
  - "Specere" (to look or see)
- Evolution: "Perspectiva" was used in Old French as "perspective" and entered Middle English in the late 14th century, initially referring to the art of drawing or painting in a way that creates the illusion of depth and distance, later extending to mean viewpoint or outlook.

Both terms have Latin roots, but while "perception" focuses on the process of receiving or interpreting sensory information, "perspective" is more about the method or standpoint from which something is observed or understood.

Here are more modern definitions with examples for each word.

Perception: This refers to the way individuals interpret and make sense of sensory information or experiences. It's how we understand and interpret what we see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. Perception is influenced by personal experiences, biases, emotions, and cognitive processes.

For example, two people might perceive the same event differently based on their backgrounds and emotional states.

Perspective: This denotes a particular attitude or way of viewing something. It's more about the position from which you see or understand a situation, which can be influenced by factors like your personal beliefs, experiences, and the context you're in. Perspective often shapes how you interpret information and make decisions.

For instance, a person's perspective on a social issue might be shaped by their cultural background or professional experience.

In essence, perception is about how we interpret our sensory experiences, while perspective is about the viewpoint or stance we take in understanding a situation or problem.

Characteristics

For those who are able to alter their perceptions by considering alternative perspectives, they often practice one or more of the following characteristics.

Open-Mindedness: Open-minded individuals are receptive to new ideas and willing to consider viewpoints that differ from their own, even when these perspectives challenge their existing beliefs. This trait allows them to explore new possibilities and gain insights that they may not have previously considered. As the philosopher John Stuart Mill once said, "He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." Open-mindedness is essential for understanding the complexities of different perspectives, as it enables individuals to look beyond their own perceptions and appreciate the diversity of thought around them.

Empathy: Empathy involves the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, which allows people to see situations from various angles. Empathetic individuals are capable of putting themselves in another person’s shoes, recognizing that others may have different experiences and emotions influencing their perspectives. As Maya Angelou beautifully expressed, "I think we all have empathy. We may not have enough courage to display it." By demonstrating empathy, people can bridge the gap between their perception and someone else’s viewpoint, fostering deeper connections and a more comprehensive understanding of the world.

Curiosity: Curiosity is a characteristic that drives people to learn and explore different experiences, which helps them expand their understanding and adapt their perspectives. Curious individuals are eager to ask questions and seek out new knowledge, which can lead them to consider viewpoints they may not have encountered before. Albert Einstein once said, "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." This continuous quest for knowledge allows curious people to remain open to new perspectives and challenges their initial perceptions, leading to a more well-rounded view of the world.

Self-Awareness: Self-awareness involves having a clear understanding of one’s own biases and limitations, which enables individuals to critically evaluate and adjust their viewpoints. Self-aware people recognize that their perceptions are shaped by their experiences, and they are open to reassessing these perceptions when faced with new information. As Carl Jung stated, "Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate." By being aware of their own thought processes and biases, self-aware individuals can better appreciate and incorporate other perspectives, leading to more informed and balanced conclusions.

Flexibility: Flexibility is the ability to adapt one’s thinking and approach when presented with new information or changing circumstances. Flexible individuals do not cling rigidly to their initial perceptions; instead, they are open to modifying their views as they encounter different perspectives and evidence. Charles Darwin famously noted, "It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." This adaptability allows flexible people to remain open to other viewpoints while maintaining the resilience needed to navigate complex and evolving situations.

Critical Thinking: Critical thinking involves applying reasoning and analysis to evaluate different perspectives, allowing individuals to make informed decisions and adjustments based on a broader understanding. People who engage in critical thinking do not accept information at face value; instead, they analyze and question the validity of various viewpoints, including their own. As Francis Bacon observed, "A prudent question is one-half of wisdom." By carefully examining the evidence and reasoning behind different perspectives, critical thinkers can discern the most reasonable conclusions, integrating diverse viewpoints into their understanding while remaining open to adjusting their perceptions as new information emerges.

Research

The most important thing to remember with memories is that if you want it to form a lasting impression, you need to pay attention. With the abundance of technological devices consuming most of our attention these days, paying attention without the use of any device remains a struggle. Taking pictures at an event, for example, is a distraction and challenges your ability to pay attention fully with the intention of taking in the moment in time.

Without attention, our brains won’t store the sensations we experience in the world around us. The brain stores long-term memories by linking neurons. The stronger the memory, the stronger the connections. These neurological connections link all the sensations that form a memory: what a scene looked like, what it felt like, what it smelled like. But if we’re not paying attention — if we’re not even getting information into our short-term memories — nothing will be stored long term in our brains.

Just how problematic is this distraction via technology, specifically our cell phones? Research published in 2023 found almost 60% of Americans admit to being addicted to their cell phones. Moreover, adding to addiction is another finding that 75% of Americans reported being uneasy when they realize they've left their phone at home and 60% said they sleep with their phones nearby or in the bed. While the research on technology and distractions continues to grow, I wanted to focus this essay on the singular aspect of taking pictures at an event since it directly involves both perception and perspective.

In the article "Media usage diminishes memory for experiences,' published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology in May 2018 by Diana Tamir and others wrote:

People increasingly use social media to record and share their experiences, but it is unclear whether or how social media use changes those experiences. Here we present both naturalistic and controlled studies in which participants engage in an experience while using media to record or share their experiences with others, or not engaging with media. We collected objective measures of participants' experiences (scores on a surprise memory test) as well as subjective measures of participants' experiences (self-reports about their engagement and enjoyment). Across three studies, participants without media consistently remembered their experience more precisely than participants who used media. There is no conclusive evidence that media use impacted subjective measures of experience. Together, these findings suggest that using media may prevent people from remembering the very events they are attempting to preserve.

Case Study

For a case study on perception and perspective, one excellent example comes from a scene in the best-selling 1988 book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. In the scene there is a young shepherd boy who is sent to a wise man to understand the secret of happiness. The wise man instructed the boy to wander around holding a teaspoon with two drops of oil. After two hours of wandering around the wise man’s house the boy returned.

Below is the excerpt of the remaining part of the scene:

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“‘Well,’ asked the wise man, ‘did you see the Persian tapestries that are hanging in my dining hall? Did you see the garden that it took the master gardener ten years to create? Did you notice the beautiful parchments in my library?’

“The boy was embarrassed and confessed he had observed nothing. His only concern had been not to spill the oil the wise man had entrusted to him.

“‘Then go back and observe the marvels of my world,’ said the wise man. ‘You cannot trust a man if you don’t know his house.’

“Relieved, the boy picked up the spoon and returned to his exploration of the palace, this time observing all of the works of art on the ceilings and the walls. He saw the gardens, the mountains all around him, the beauty of the flowers, and the taste with which everything had been selected. Upon returning to the wise man, he related in detail everything he had seen.

“‘But where are the drops of oil I entrusted to you?’ asked the wise man. “Looking down at the spoon he held, the boy saw that the oil was gone.”

“‘Well, there is only one piece of advice I can give you,’ said the wisest of wise men. ‘The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.’”

This story reminds me of the observation by Ralph Waldo Emerson “People only see what they are prepared to see.” If your focus is on preventing the oil from spilling off the spoon, you will most likely miss what is around you. Your perception of what is important, keeping the oil on the spoon, will directly impact your perspective of what you see. If you can maintain this thought alone, that your perception impacts your perspective, you can more effectively engage in the self-care and self-love required to increase your self-awareness and navigate the chaos of life.

Conclusion

"Some people see the cup as half empty. Some people see the cup as half full. I see the cup as too large." This quote by George Carlin brilliantly captures how our perspectives are shaped by our perceptions. It is certainly possible to shift a person's perspective on an issue, but to do so effectively, we must first understand the underlying beliefs and perceptions driving their current viewpoint. By uncovering the foundational beliefs that shape someone's perspective, we can begin to address and challenge these beliefs, paving the way for a change in perspective. However, it's important to proceed with caution. People often hold onto their beliefs tightly, and any attempt to alter these perceptions must be approached with sensitivity and empathy. Changing a person's perspective is not about forcing them to see things your way but about gently guiding them to see things from a new angle.

The difference between perception and perspective might seem obvious, but they are deeply connected. Perception is the way we interpret the world around us, influenced by our experiences, beliefs, and emotions. Perspective, on the other hand, is the viewpoint or angle from which we see a particular situation, shaped by our perceptions. If we learn how to change our perception, or help others change theirs, we can transform how we interpret and engage with the world. For example, by recognizing that someone views the 'cup' as half empty due to past disappointments or fears, we can help them reframe their perception to see it as half full or appropriately sized. This subtle shift in perception can lead to a profound change in perspective, altering how one approaches challenges and opportunities. In essence, changing perception is like adjusting the lens through which we view the world, allowing for a clearer, more balanced perspective.

Self-Reflection Questions

How do I usually interpret statements or actions from others? Do I check for evidence, or do I accept them at face value?
Can I think of a time when my perception of a situation differed significantly from someone else’s? How did that affect our interaction?
What are some examples in my life where my perception has been influenced by my past experiences or emotions?
In what ways do my personal biases shape my perception of the people and events around me?
How often do I consider other people's perspectives before forming an opinion or making a decision?
Am I open to changing my perspective when presented with new information or differing viewpoints? Why or why not?
Do I make an effort to understand the perspectives of those who disagree with me? How does this impact my relationships?
When was the last time I felt misunderstood? Could it have been due to different levels of perception?
How do I react when my perspective is challenged? Do I become defensive, or do I seek to understand the other viewpoint?
Can I recall a situation where changing my perception led to a positive outcome? What did I learn from it?
In what ways do I actively practice open-mindedness, empathy, curiosity, self-awareness, flexibility, and critical thinking in my daily life?
How can I improve my ability to perceive the world more accurately and less through the lens of my personal biases?
How does my use of technology (like social media or taking photos) impact my perception of my experiences?
Am I often more focused on holding onto specific beliefs or ideas than exploring new perspectives? Why?
How does my current perspective shape the way I handle stress and adversity? Could a shift in perception help me manage these situations better?
What does the story from 'The Alchemist' teach me about balancing attention between immediate tasks and the broader context of my life?
Do I often find myself assuming that others see situations the same way I do? What could I do to check this assumption?
How do my perceptions and perspectives influence my approach to personal growth and self-improvement?
Have I ever experienced a change in perspective that significantly altered my understanding of a situation or person? What was the trigger for this change?
How can I cultivate more empathy and understanding in my interactions with others, especially those who have different perspectives?