Perspectives On Reality: What You See And Hear Is Filtered

Perspectives On Realitywhat You See And Hear Is Filtered Through Who Y

Perspectives on Reality: what you see and hear is filtered through who you are. Each person has a different perspective. Your perspective can be influenced by the physical environment: where you are standing, the weather, or the time of day. It can also be influenced by one’s mood, by cultural filters, or by past experiences. When you understand what you think and feel and even see and hear is impacted by human experiences, you begin to understand how difficult it is to arrive at pure fact.

Technology has an opportunity to impact human ways of knowing, thinking, and expressing. In this discussion, you will experience the same story in multiple formats: the written word, the spoken word, and video. When you begin to add photos or manipulate images, is this changing your experience or enhancing or distorting your reality? Reference content from Week 3 Notes and Readings in your discussion post. To prepare for the discussion:

Paper For Above instruction

The perception of reality is inherently subjective, shaped profoundly by individual experiences, perceptions, and contextual factors. Recognizing that what we see and hear is filtered through personal lenses underscores the complexity of arriving at an objective understanding of reality. This subjectivity influences how individuals interpret information and interact with their environment, emphasizing the importance of considering diverse perspectives in the pursuit of truth.

Throughout history, philosophers and psychologists have explored the ways in which human perception is limited and biased. For instance, the Gestalt principles demonstrate that perception is not merely a passive reception of stimuli but an active organization process that can be influenced by prior knowledge and expectations (Koffka, 1935). Furthermore, cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias and perceptual set, demonstrate how our mental frameworks shape what we pay attention to and how we interpret sensory data (Tversky & Kahneman, 1974).

The influence of environment and mood on perception is significant. The physical environment, including lighting, weather, and spatial orientation, affects sensory inputs and subsequent mental interpretations (Gibson, 1966). Mood states alter perceptual thresholds, making individuals more or less receptive to certain stimuli, thus modifying their perception of reality (Darwin, 1872). Cultural filters further color perceptions, as cultural background influences the norms, symbols, and meanings attributed to experiences (Hall, 1959).

This inherent subjectivity presents challenges in establishing purely objective facts, especially when different individuals interpret the same event or information diversely. It underscores the importance of critical thinking skills and self-awareness in evaluating information sources and understanding that perceptions are constructions influenced by numerous human factors (Bruner & Postman, 1947).

Technology plays a pivotal role in shaping modern perceptions and the dissemination of reality. Digital media, images, and videos are powerful tools that can either enhance understanding or distort truth, depending on their use. When manipulating images or presenting multiple formats of the same narrative, it prompts reflection on authenticity and the potential for distortion. For example, photo editing can alter perceived reality, raising questions about the reliability of visual evidence (Westlund & Bjurström, 2019). Similarly, different formats—written, spoken, or visual—may evoke varying emotional responses and interpretations, influencing perception (Kosslyn, 2006).

In conclusion, understanding how perceptions are shaped by human experiences and environmental factors demonstrates the importance of approaching information critically and with awareness of potential biases. Technology offers vast possibilities to expand or manipulate perceptions, emphasizing the need for mindfulness in consuming and creating content. Recognizing the subjective nature of perception fosters greater empathy and encourages diverse viewpoints in our quest for understanding reality.

References

• Bruner, J. S., & Postman, L. (1947). Perception and communication. In P. W. Cairns (Ed.), The conceptual basis of psychology and human development (pp. 77–110). University of Chicago Press.
• Darbman, C. (1872). The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. John Murray.
• Gibson, J. J. (1966). The ecological approach to visual perception. Houghton Mifflin.
• Hall, E. T. (1959). The Silent Language. Doubleday.
• Koffka, K. (1935). Principles of Gestalt Psychology. Harcourt Brace.
• Kosslyn, S. M. (2006). Image and Brain: The Resolution of the Imagery Debate. MIT Press.
• Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1974). Judgment under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases. Science, 185(4157), 1124–1131.
• Westlund, O., & Bjurström, J. (2019). Visual communication and reality: A critical review. Digital Journalism, 7(4), 413-430.