Discovering Our Realities
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The document discusses the concept of perception and reality. It states that reality is everything that exists, whether observable or not. It also argues that we each create our own unique reality through the process of perception, which involves selecting data from the environment, organizing and filtering that information, and interpreting it based on our experiences and expectations. As no two people have identical perceptions, this means that no two people have an identical sense of reality.
Discovering Our Realities
- 1. Mary “Malia” Fortescue Speech 104 – Argumentation Spring 2012
- 2. Reality is everything that exists Reality includes everything that is whether or not it is observable, accessible or understandable by science, philosophy, theology or any other system of analysis We create our own reality Reality isn’t what is “real,” it’s what we think is real Reality is your mental interpretation of your environment Perception is the process we use to create our reality from an environment
- 3. No two people have identical realities “The belief that one’s own view of reality is the only reality is the most dangerous of all delusions. It becomes still more dangerous if it is coupled with the missionary zeal to enlighten the rest of the world, whether the rest of the world wishes to be enlightened or not.” -Paul Watzlawick, Psychologist
- 4. Perception – Sorting and Interpreting Data Steps in the Perception Process: 1. Select Data from the Environment 2. Organize Filter and Prioritize the Information 3. Interpret the Data Environment Data Filters Brain Reality
- 5. First we select data from the environment We use all five senses to perceive the world Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste and Touch Intense, repetitious or changing stimuli (cognitions) attract our attention and shape what we notice (select) and what we ignore
- 6. Selecting and Sorting Filters Most of the data is filtered out, but some is selected to pass on to our awareness Types of Mental Filters: Psychological Condition Physiological Condition Language Learning and Education Experiences Expectations
- 7. Second we organize and prioritize the information We organize and prioritize data so that certain information stands out over other information Each person has a unique method of organizing Perception is less about the objective world, and more about the unique ways in which individuals perceive the world
- 8. Third we interpret the data We manipulate the data to give meaning to the information that has been selected and sorted This process gives us an understanding of our environment, which we call our reality One goal of the argumentive process is to narrow the differences in perceptions between individuals
- 9. Factors that influence how we interpret data Closure We attempt to make sense out of the environment, even when only a limited amount of data is available. The mind fills in the blanks. Selective Perception We narrow available cognitions to interpret the environment Patterning We attempt to keep new or current perceptions in line with past ones
- 10. The Existing State of Things – Comfort Zone Stasis is the absence of change in one or more of our realities for an extended period of time We attempt to perceive the world in a manner which conforms to our stasis, because being knocked off our stasis makes us uncomfortable
- 11. Reality and environment are NOT the same We each create our own reality in our minds as we perceive the world around us No two people have identical realities Sharing and comparing realities can reduce distortions and differences with other people Reality is not real, it is an illusion Reality isn’t what is “real”, it’s what we think is real We argue realities, not environments There may be more than one valid reality of the environment