While taking a look at perception it became clear that there are specific issues that occur in each of our lives that effect our perception. One of those things is our perspective..... perspective more or less determines from what angle we interpret the information that we collect or observe. This perspective can be impacted by many different factors in our lives. It may be shaped by the mood we are in...... are we happy, sad, hurt.....etc. Is there a particular event that occurred in our lives that may shade our perspective of what may be happening. This can manifest itself in many different ways. Even the emotions we feel can be more difficult for us to deal with because of these outside influences. Some people may feel that any anxiousness is difficult to deal with while others may describe anxiousness as a good feeling of anticipation. This would be based on their individual perspectives..... that were shaped by the experiences that each had as a result of the so called feeling of anxiousness.
Lets look at a definition of perspective:
Main Entry: perspective
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, probably modification of Old Italian prospettiva, from prospetto view, prospect, from Latin prospectus — more at prospect
Date: 1563
1 a : the technique or process of representing on a plane or curved surface the spatial relation of objects as they might appear to the eye; specifically : representation in a drawing or painting of parallel lines as converging in order to give the illusion of depth and distance b : a picture in perspective
2 a : the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed
3 a : a visible scene; especially : one giving a distinctive impression of distance : vista b : a mental view or prospect
4 : the appearance to the eye of objects in respect to their relative distance and positions
— per·spec·tiv·al \pər-ˈspek-ti-vəl, ˌpər-(ˌ)spek-ˈtī-vəl\ adjective
Click here for Merriam Webster page.
Lets look at a visual example of perspective and how the angle that we look at things impacts the image that our mind process. This is also true in our communication with others and our relationships. All of our experiences, previous perceptions, needs, wants, drives, memories, values, attitudes and other things such as our current emotional state combine together to more or less create our own individual perspective.
Take a look at this chalk drawing and tell me what it is.
Maybe you can tell what it is.... or what it is suppose to be a picture of.... but you can't really enjoy it. You cant see all of the detail and you definitely are not seeing what the artist intended you to see.
Now lets suppose we have no idea that this is not the way the artist intended us to see it. Lets suppose that we have never seen anything like this and neither our experience or knowledge tells us that we should look at it from a different perspective. So we walk away with a less than accurate view.... or perception of what is there. We are not particularly impressed nor would we have any reason to say that what we just observed was all that great from an art perspective. If someone had encouraged us to come see this we might even be aggravated that they were wasting our time because we don't have the right perspective.
Now suppose we ask some questions..... Hey what is that suppose to be? A friendly bystander...... maybe even the artist.... kindly points out that we are standing in the wrong place that we need to move over here in order to truly see what was intended. So with curiosity we move over to where the helpful bystander says we should look at it from...... and guess what! Oh my look at what we have now
Whoa!!! Dude!!!! I couldn't see all of that from the other spot. No beach ball, no woman...in a pool.. holding a can of coke, no rubber duckie. Now it all makes sense and because I have the right perspective I now can see just how brilliant this artist is..... that is absolutely amazing. If we have the wrong perspective we not only miss the point we have no idea what is really intended or in this case just how great the object is we are looking at.
If you would like to see some additional art from this brilliant artist by the name of Julian Beever you can click here to truly be astounded.
It occurs to me that the best perspective is that of the artist that originally did the work or piece. That would also relate to other peoples actions in this situation as well. When someone says or does something the best perspective in which to interpret that action or statement is from the person that delivered it.
Now having said that..... it is not very often that we will always know the exact perspective in which the originator intended, however, with practice and experience we can find ourselves more likely to be able to determine that perspective.
Part 2 of How Perspective Effects Our Perception will give an example of husband and wife or relational interaction and how perspective effects our perception in those instances.
What are your thoughts on perspective?
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