A lot of weight rests on a person's perception of themselves. If a person believes they are unattractive, they will believe that others see them as unattractive no matter how untrue this belief is. In their most extreme forms, these self beliefs lead to things like eating disorders, in which people try to 'fix' their imaginary body flaws. But in every day life, our perceptions just effect how we deal with situations.
Perceptions have a great deal to do with a person's past. A person who believes they are unattractive generally got that belief from somewhere. Maybe they got it in the first grade when the person they thought was cute said "eew you're gross," and this particular person took it to heart, or maybe it was a more recent and real situation like being dumped by a boyfriend for being a little overweight. In either case, this person's perception of themselves will effect how they del with relationships in the future.
Perceptions can also be temporary. Every interaction we have presents the opportunity for people to give us a perception of ourselves. I for example have a belief that all computers hate me, and so I only like them as long as they are working properly. Thus, the other day after a long hard day (which presented a temporary perception of hopelessness), when I was faced with a computer malfunction, I basically wanted to throw my computer out of the fourth floor window. I cried and screamed and it was generally not pretty. Who knows if on a day that had been better, I may have reacted completely differently to my stupid computer, but as it was, I was pissed and my day affected my reaction.
Perceptions have a great deal to do with a person's past. A person who believes they are unattractive generally got that belief from somewhere. Maybe they got it in the first grade when the person they thought was cute said "eew you're gross," and this particular person took it to heart, or maybe it was a more recent and real situation like being dumped by a boyfriend for being a little overweight. In either case, this person's perception of themselves will effect how they del with relationships in the future.
Perceptions can also be temporary. Every interaction we have presents the opportunity for people to give us a perception of ourselves. I for example have a belief that all computers hate me, and so I only like them as long as they are working properly. Thus, the other day after a long hard day (which presented a temporary perception of hopelessness), when I was faced with a computer malfunction, I basically wanted to throw my computer out of the fourth floor window. I cried and screamed and it was generally not pretty. Who knows if on a day that had been better, I may have reacted completely differently to my stupid computer, but as it was, I was pissed and my day affected my reaction.
2 comments:
hey Bo, there's a typo on the last line of the second paragraph.
sorry, affected not effected. I'll fix that.
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