If you’ve ever argued with another person, you know that people tend to be biased in their interpretation of what they see and hear. This idea refers to the phenomenon of motivated perception.
What is Motivated Perception?
Motivated perception, or motivated reasoning, is when our biases unconsciously drive us to come to a certain conclusion. In simpler terms, this means that our preconceived ideas about the way something is interferes with the way that we perceive a situation.
For example, say that you and your significant other were arguing because you were upset about the house being dirty. In their eyes, the house wasn’t dirty because they grew up in a household that was never clean or organized, but you grew up with parents who valued cleanliness. However, most people don’t think about this difference in perception, and they argue with their biases as their guiding principles.
The Problem with Motivated Perception
Motivated perception is problematic for several reasons.
Refusing to See Things through Another’s Eyes
Being able to empathize and see things through the eyes of someone else is necessary for conflict resolution. No one in the world thinks exactly alike. We all have different experiences, backgrounds, talents, and areas of expertise. When we only think about a situation or topic from our own perspective, we lack the ability to resolve conflict.
Coming To False Conclusions
Motivated perception can cause us to come to false conclusions because we are being driven by bias and assumptions rather than factual information. These false conclusions can get us in trouble by damaging relationships and causing others to view us in a negative way.
We Don’t See the World for What It Is
Everyone sees the world through their own lens rather than seeing it for what it actually is. The inability to take a step back and try to view the world from a different perspective can prevent us from being able to compromise and make informed decisions.
Can You Control Motivated Perception?
Yes, you do have some power over motivated perception. Read on for four strategies you can use to prevent motivated perception from clouding your judgment.
Recognize When You Are Speaking from Bias
Generally, you can tell when your biases are clouding your judgment if you take a second away from the argument. The next time you find yourself in a heated debate with another person, take a few minutes to consider where your perspective is coming from and try to separate your bias from the situation.
Avoid Letting Your Emotions Dictate Your Decisions
When we let emotions dictate our decisions, we don’t make the best decisions. When you sense that bias may be impacting your perception, take some deep breaths and give yourself time to calm down.
Don’t Make Decisions Based on Assumptions
When making a decision, make sure you back up your decision with evidence rather than assumptions. If you have evidence for your decisions, you are less likely to be motivated by your biases.
Try Seeing the Issue Through Someone Else’s Eyes
Rather than only see a situation from your own perspective, try looking at it through another person’s eyes. When you actively try to see the issue from a different perspective, it can be easier to understand why the person thinks about the situation differently than you.
