We all bases our lives on assumptions - things that we have been told to believe in, what we think that we know. We base our beliefs on these assumptions. We often base these assumptions on what we perceive.
What one perceives is a result of interplays between past experiences, one’s culture and the interpretation of the perceived. Sometimes our assumptions are correct, but often they are not. Human beings are very good at self-deception.
Research has shown that:
‘Ninety-four percent of university professors think they are better at their jobs than their colleagues.
Twenty-five percent of college students believe they are in the top 1% in terms of their ability to get along with others.
Seventy percent of college students think they are above average in leadership ability. Only two percent think they are below average.’
--Thomas Gilovich How We Know What Isn't So
Obviously the professors and students cannot all be right!
Here are some simple fun exercises to test your assumptions about your beliefs...
1. Can you learn a new physical skill instantly?
Can you do something with your body that involves quite complicated procedures without being taught? You will probably answer no to this question. Your belief system says that, from past experience it is difficult to master a new skill straight away.
Now to prove you wrong. Follow the instructions word for word:
Write your own name in the air with your elbow! Try it now.
You probably found that you could do this without any trouble even though this is probably the first time you have tried this. As you moved your elbow you imagined the letters of your name and your elbow automatically traced the shapes of these letters. What we assume to be true of ourselves is not necessarily true.
2. Can you read nonsense? Quickly glance at the text below. It looks nonsense. You probably think that it would be impossible to read. Now try reading it.
| Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Surprisingly you have the ability to read and make sense of the above paragraph. What your thoughts first tell you are not necessarily true. |
3. Can you tell rough from smooth? Take three types of sandpaper - rough, smooth and medium. With your left hand only rub the rough sandpaper and with the right hands only rub the smooth sandpaper. Next rub the medium paper with the left hand then your right hand. You will find that when you rub the medium sandpaper the left hand feels it as rougher than the smooth sandpaper. This is because you left hand adapts to feeling roughness and your right hand has adapted to feeling smoothness.
Your hands inform your brain about the measure of smoothness of the sandpaper and your mind believes what is being communicated by the hands. What this exercise shows is that the belief system that has been created is not necessarily true!