Expectations

This is a very interesting article regarding the power of perception: “A Mystery no Longer?”. The article basically centers on the usage of “The Mystery Spot” (one of those amusement-park type places where everything seems to work wrong; water flowing uphill, weights hanging at angles, etc.) by a professor to teach about the influence of expectation on perception.

The central quote from the article I want to focus on is this:

All this is important to the field of psychology because “it shows the limits of one’s perception,” Bridgeman said. “The essential role of expectation in perception applies to everything — not just weighted balls in cabins.”

Although I disagree with the direction the professor’s quotes go after this in the article (he links this to human brain evolution somehow), the core statement is full of truth about human nature, and bears worth in considering for a bit (in whatever situation you find yourself).

— What kind of expectations do you have today?
— What expectations do you have for whatever situations / circumstances / events you’ll be involved with today?
— How will your expectations affect your perception of things?
— Are your expectations based on something solid?

As I said, just a few things worth consideration.