In everyday life, we all interpret our surroundings through our perceptions, thoughts and emotions. The way we see the world, interpret situations and relate to others is influenced by a series of invisible lenses that we have built throughout our lives. These "reality glasses" are the filter through which we process the information we receive from the environment, and they play a fundamental role in our way of understanding the world and our interactions with it.
The role of glasses in our perception of reality
Our perception of reality is not objective, but is shaped by our experiences, beliefs, values, emotions and motivations. These factors act as the lenses through which we view the world, coloring our interpretation of the events and situations we face daily. As a result, each person has a unique, subjective perspective on reality, based on their personal history and their own perceptual glasses.
Because our reality glasses are made up of a complex web of influences, It is common for two people to interpret the same situation very differently. What for one may be an exciting challenge, for another may be an overwhelming threat, all due to the lenses through which each views reality. These differences in perception can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts and even ruptures in interpersonal relationships.
The formation of our perceptual glasses
Our glasses of reality are formed over time. throughout our lives, from childhood to adulthood. From an early age, we begin to construct our perceptions of the world through interactions with our parents, family, teachers, and friends. These early experiences shape our beliefs, values and attitudes, which in turn influence the way we interpret future experiences.
In addition to external influences, our own psychological characteristics, such as our personality, level of self-esteem, emotional intelligence and coping style also contribute to the formation of our perceptive glasses. For example, a person with an optimistic personality tends to view situations more positively, while someone with a pessimistic tendency may interpret them more negatively.
Traumatic experiences, significant events, and changes important things in life can also have a significant impact on the way we perceive reality. These critical moments can reinforce, challenge or modify our beliefs and values, which in turn affects the way we see the world and ourselves.
Cognitive and emotional biases in our perceptual glasses
In addition to the external and internal influences that contribute to the formation of our reality glasses, cognitive and emotional biases that distort our perception of reality are also present. Cognitive biases are automatic and systematic thought patterns that lead us to interpret information in predictable but inaccurate ways.
On the other hand, emotional biases are automatic tendencies to interpret events according to our emotions, which which can distort our perception and judgment of reality. For example, if a person is experiencing anxiety, they are more likely to interpret situations as threatening or dangerous, even if they are not in reality.
These cognitive and emotional biases can act as distorting lenses that alter our perception of reality, causing us to see things in a biased and subjective way. Recognizing the presence of these biases in our perceptive glasses is essential to be able to broaden our perspective and see situations with greater objectivity and clarity.
The importance of being aware of our perceptive glasses
The first step to understanding how we see reality through our perceptual glasses is to be aware of their existence and the influence they have on our perception of the world. Many times, we act automatically and reactively, without stopping to reflect on how our perceptual lenses are shaping our interpretations and responses to the situations we face.
Being aware of our perceptual glasses allows us to question our automatic interpretations. , identify possible cognitive and emotional biases, and explore different perspectives and approaches to the same situation. Through self-observation and reflection, we can begin to challenge and modify our beliefs and thinking patterns that limit our understanding of the world and our interactions with it.
Empathy as a tool to change our perceptual glasses
Empathy plays a fundamental role in modifying and expanding our perceptive glasses. By putting ourselves in someone else's shoes, trying to understand their points of view, emotions and experiences, we can challenge our own biased interpretations and open ourselves to new perspectives and possibilities. Empathy helps us transcend our individual limitations and connect with the shared humanity that unites us all.
Practicing empathy actively and consciously allows us to develop a greater capacity to see reality from different angles and understand the motivations and needs of others. This skill not only strengthens our interpersonal relationships and fosters mutual understanding, but also helps us expand our own vision of the world and enrich our experiences.
Psychotherapy as a tool for exploring perceptual glasses
For those seeking to more deeply understand their perceptual glasses and explore the roots of their patterns of thinking and behavior, psychotherapy can offer a safe and supportive space for this process of self-exploration. Through therapeutic dialogue, guided reflection, and appropriate psychological tools, you can delve into the underlying beliefs, cognitive and emotional biases, and automatic response patterns that make up our glasses of reality.
Psychotherapy not only provides the opportunity to identify and challenge our perceptual glasses, but also helps us develop strategies and skills to broaden our perspective, improve our self-awareness, and promote greater emotional and mental well-being. By exploring our glasses from a therapeutic perspective, we can discover new ways of seeing reality, integrate dissociated aspects of ourselves and build a more authentic relationship with ourselves and others.
Conclusions
Our reality glasses are the filter through which we interpret the world around us, and are influenced by a complex network of internal and external factors. Recognizing the existence of these perceptual lenses, as well as the cognitive and emotional biases that distort them, is essential to broaden our perspective, understand our interactions with the world, and foster greater connection with others.
By being By being aware of our perceptual glasses and practicing empathy and self-exploration, we can challenge and modify our limiting beliefs, open ourselves to new possibilities, and enrich our experience of reality. Psychotherapy offers a valuable supportive space for those seeking to more deeply explore their perceptual glasses, understand their patterns of thinking and behavior, and develop strategies to improve their emotional and mental well-being.