How we perceive ourselves is a significant determiner in how we make life choices for our future. The word “perceiving” comes from the word “perception.” “Perception” is used to mean five different things, and it helps to know each of
How we perceive ourselves is a significant determiner in how we make life choices for our future.
The word “perceiving” comes from the word “perception.” “Perception” is used to mean five different things, and it helps to know each of them, and how it affects our thoughts about ourselves.
1. “the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.” We perceive a loud noise. It is not exactly the same as “acuity,” which means the accuracy, or keenness of what we see or hear. We might hear a loud noise, and yet it could be a firecracker, gun shot, or door slamming.
2. “the state of being or process of becoming aware of something in such a way.” Doctors know that we all perceive pain differently. That is why they ask us on a scale of 0 to 10 to judge our pain, with 0 being none, and 10 as “someone is stabbing an iron poker in your eye” (as asked to my mother)
3. “A way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression.” The feats of many senior citizens is changing many popular perceptions of old age.
4. “intuitive understanding and insight:” This definition applies when a person “feels” something to be true, and believes it without thinking about it. Sometimes we perceive that a place isn’t safe for us to be in, without actually seeing a person holding a weapon.
5. (Scientific) “The neurophysiological processes, including memory, but which an organism becomes aware of and interprets external stimuli.” This means the actually biological processes by which the nervous system sends signals to the brain, which “interprets” them.
Our perceptions change about things, at least if we keep an open mind. Ages ago the world was thought to be flat, and it seemed as the sun circled the earth. Both were proven false.
Racial stereotypes about one race being smarter than another have dissolved now that intelligence tests are better measures of human intelligence than they used to be.
It’s disheartening when students perceive themselves as “not smart,” because it can lead them to make life choices that do not serve them. Howard Gardner discovered eight areas of intelligence. This complex world needs people with all kinds of different abilities. There is a website that explains them, and even includes a test you can take to get an idea about which areas you may be stronger in. I took it, and it seemed to be right, although it is based on our perceptions of ourselves, which may or not be accurate. It is useful.
Here are the eight areas of intelligence vastly abbreviated:
1. Linguistic: Word smart — You enjoy reading, writing and talking about things.
2. Kinesthetic: Body smart — You enjoy sports and good at them.
3. Logical: Number smart — You’re good at math and number problems, and good at solving problems by reasoning them out.
4. Interpersonal: People smart — You like to mix with other people, and could belong to many clubs. You like to do things in teams.
5. Intrapersonal: Myself smart — You know yourself fairly well, your strengths, and weaknesses. You may keep a journal.
6. Musical: Music smart — You enjoy hearing and making music and can recognize sounds, and tonal qualities.
7. Visual/Spatial: Picture smart — You will be good at art, and other activities. You look at pictures, like map reading, or finding your way out of mazes.
8. Naturalistic: Nature Smart — You will like the world of plants and animals, and enjoy learning about them.
From http://www.igiftedschool.org/post.cfm/8-intelligences
You have a gift. You are smart in your way. Do the best you can with what you have, and more will be given to you.
Also, within ‘interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence is emotional intelligence. Daniel Goleman, who wrote the book, “Working with Emotional Intelligence,” stated that, “… emotional intelligence emerges as a much stronger predictor of who will be most successful, because it is how we handle ourselves in our relationships that determines how well we do once we are in a given job.”
He also stated that people tend to become more emotionally intelligent as they age and mature. This is where “respect your elders” came from as well as their great wisdom experiences in the world.
It’s OK to get coaching from elders and others, because until we are about 24, our brain hasn’t finished developing in the area of judgment making. We tend to rely on our feelings, and we project them onto the world we see. In Teen Court when we would discuss why a child committed harassment or assault, it was often because of what the teen perceived the other person thought, and not actually how the other person thought.
If people are in troubling situations with others, I recommend that they choose a neutral friend or counselor to help them talk it out and get to the bottom of what is going on, and make wise choices from that.
Next week I’ll share about perceiving what makes a person beautiful. I welcome the community to give their input. Contact Annaleah at the email address below.
Hale `Opio Kaua’i convened a support group of adults in our Kaua’i community to “step into the corner” for our teens, to answer questions and give support to youth and their families on a wide variety of issues. Please email your questions or concerns facing our youth and families today to Annaleah Atkinson at aatkinson@haleopio.org
