Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Final HAL 1 Extra Credit: Due February 3, 2010

(WORTH 20 POINTS)
Our recent conversations about the American Dream and our close analysis of the Sherman Alexie text (he is a guy), have led me to consider ways that perception plays an important role in our society. As a matter of fact, I might venture to say that perception plays an equally vital role in the world. A misguided perception of a person's motives can end a relationship; a flawed perception of another country can cause a war.

Being mindful of the multilayered nature of perception and its power, read and analyze the following texts (beware of the grammatical errors within one of the texts):

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2627795/your_perception_is_your_reality_pg3.html?cat=5

http://www.unlimitedchoice.org/blog/meditations/perception-vs-reality/

After reading the pieces (they're both blogs on a different sites), respond in our blogspot posting with the following:

1. Approximately 100 words about a time when perception caused conflict for you and/or someone else you know.
2. Another 100 word response that connects your experience to some of the major ideas presented in both readings.

26 comments:

  1. Recently, my friend changed her schedule so she can have a different pre calc teacher, because last year she had the same teacher but teaching algebra 2/intermediate algebra. During the time she was in the class, she was caught cheating on a test, so she automatically thinks that the teacher perceives her as a cheater. She does not want to take a class where she thinks the teacher's perception of her contains a negative connotation. This truly irritates me because I have not had a class with her all year and that is a new feeling for me, and also, she is not even giving the teacher the opportunity to realize who she really is. Additionally, she does not even know if the teacher thinks of her in that way. Hopefully, she is enlightened about the situation so we can excel in life together. - Maytin Poonsuk

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  2. Throughout the article I could not help but think of my own situation, I was recently in a dispute with my Spanish teacher. She claims that I am incapable of passing her class, along with her finals. I was furious, I did not understand how a person can tell me I am enable to do something and get away with it. I began to take action, but my actions were lead by my emotions, which causes a bigger conflict. I stopped doing my work and avoided her. In my eyes her perception of me was that I was not intelligent enough to learn. That is not who I am, but that is who I allowed myself to be by acting off emotion. I allowed her perception of me take over the determined, intelligent person I am. I will never again allow my emotions or someone’s idea of me ever guide me.

    - Emily Khanitha

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  3. My situation talks about how my friend is not being open-minded. Advice about my friend's predicament is shown in the article, "Perception Vs Reality" Amit Sodha writes, "Keep an open mind at all times and remember that a point of view is always valuable to each individual," (¶ 2). My friend should keep an open mind because teachers are supposed to remain unbiased. Not only should she be open-minded, but also she should not hastily jump to conclusions. As stated in the article, "Your Perception is Your Reality," "I've always heard not to believe anything that you've heard, and only half of what you see. So we can probably take these hard and factual truths (in our minds) and throw out half of these because they're only "our" perception" (Lamb ¶ 5). This whole situation is only happening because she thinks the teacher will treat her differently because of the perception that he may or may not have of her, but that is the cool thing about teachers. They are unbiased. To conclude, as you can read, my friend is not the only one with this problem, because on both of the articles, there is advice about the perception problem which means it is common. - Maytin Poonsuk

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  4. In the situation I had with my teacher, I was being stubborn and close-minded. In the article “Perception Vs. Reality” by Amit Sodha, he reminded me that I should have progressed and proved my teacher wrong rather than allowing her judgment of me to be correct. Sodha states, “You may or may not have control over the events in your life but you can certainly take control of how to respond to them,” (paragraph 6). I realized that I could not be in control of what people see when they look at me, but I could control who I am and what I see when I look at myself. In the first article, “Your Perception is Your Reality” by Kevin Lamb he took the idea of perception and said it affected the view of reality. Lamb said, “With a low sense of self reality is viewed through rose colored glasses; everything is distorted and out of focus,” (paragraph 2). Thus proving that perception can cloud someone’s reality and cause him or her to change. He or she starts acting out of emotion rather than reason.

    - Emily Khanitha

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  5. Many times conflict arises due to two colliding ideas. Everyone has their own perspective on a specific topic. For example, during our four corner discussions, everyone has their own idea on the topic, whether they agree or disagree. Often times my opinion contradicts with others, in fact it is the result of my daily habits. Amit Sodha posted, "You may or may not have control over the events of your life but you can certainly take control of how to respond to them"(Sodha 1). I choose to throw away my trash as oppose to those who take littering into consideration. The argument would then be, "It is not my home," but I thought the earth is home. Would it be that I am wrong? I believe it is not so. It is my response to what I can not control.

    Although I can not control others perception, I will not lose myself to what I believe is correct. Being accepting not only allow us to be open minded to what the world has to offer but it opens endless adventures for us to seek. Kevin Lamb stated, "A low 'perception of self' is the most damaging perception which is instilled into the mind over and over each day"(Lamb 1). Grieving over regret will only drown us in the past, making us scared of the future. If we accept what happened and then apply it to what will soon approach will open the door of today. Forget what happened, do not think about what will happen just "go with the flow" gives us a glimpse of reality. The mistakes that occured yesterday may soon appear tomorrow but today, we will know how to over come it.

    - Maneevanh Soundara (:

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  6. Part 1:
    It's been months now and this friend of mine and I are no longer friends. From my behalf all I see that they are judging me on how I act with the new people I am now close with and of course usually when you are around a different group of friends you act different, more or less you still do. So now they percieve me as a whole new person when deep down I know that I am still me. It upsets me because I know that what they are percieving is wrong and that the whole situtation was blown out of porpotion, that a great friendship has ended due to a false perception.

    Part 2:
    There were parts through out both articles that reminded me of my situation. Such as in the article, "Perception VS Reality" Amit Sodha writes, "You may or not may have control over the events in your life but you can certainly take control of how to respond to them"(P6). Just like Emily said, I can't be in control of what people see or even think of me. Now refering back to the first article "Your Perception is Your Reality" by Kevin Lamb something interesting that he said was "Are we living a figment of our own imgination, and are actually seeing a true reality?"(P4). I thought it was intersting because Lamb had previously already given us the idea that the brain gives us a fail mentality but also that it lies to us? Wow. In conclusion, perception is all based on how your daily life is and how your response to everything is.

    - Michelle Tri

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  7. Part 1:
    From the article, I now understand that perception is more than a way of looking at a situation but it is corruption of the mind as well. There was a period in my life where perception did cause confrontation between me and another person. Being in high school, it is the most difficult thing for someone to believe everything that is being brought to him or her through others. Due to the fact of high school being high school, the other person and I did not know what to believe but we believed it all. As another day went by, tension within our circle began to rise and we could not bare to be around one another. Eyes were rolled, faces were made, and things were said that we NOW regret saying. Eventually, we talked it out and we realized that all accusation were false. We just did not understand how something so trivial would cause so much of a problem between us two, and the other portion of our friends.

    Part 2:
    In the first article, "Your Perception is Your Reality," Kevin Lamb states "I've always heard not to believe anything that you've heard, and only half of what you see"(4). I find this to be absolutely true due to the circumstances that you are in, and the state of mind that you let your thoughts process through. Some people live immaturely, idiotically, and more naive that they should be. Through my experiences, I believe that the way that people interpret things into their lives cause major conflicts for themselves and others because it is something that I have already dealt with (obviously). Amit Sodha asks, "What is reality but a concept unique to each of us?"(1). I believe that the only way to answer this question is to truly evaluate our lives.

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  8. While reading these two articles I couldn’t stop to think how people’s perception about me is always a conflict. It always bothers me because many people, before they even know me assume that I am white, while I am most definitely not. For example, while at the store cashier, most of them always speak to me in chopped up English (not making fun of them) but when I answer in Spanish most act in shock, as if it where impossible that a white guy could speak Spanish. However, I always end up advising them that I am Mexican, but anyways that’s one thing that always frustrates me about people’s perceptions.

    Both article’s main idea is basically that your perception determines your ideas about everything around you. In the article, “Your perception is your Reality” Kevin Lamb writes, “Are we living a figment of our own imagination, and are actually seeing a true reality?"(¶ 4). Questioning reality could be a good way to receive feedback about our own perception. To give an insight about the question’s answer, in Amit Sodha’s article, “Perception vs. Reality” she writes, “Your belief structure determines your perception which then ultimately determines how you respond to events” (¶ 7). Meaning that the environment you are set in will affect how you take things into consideration. To conclude, both articles have very good ideas about one’s perception.
    --Leo Aviles

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  9. Part 1:

    One time when perception caused a problem for someone else and myself was when we had a scrimmage game against the JV team. Many of us thought that the JV team would not score on us. We underestimated the way they played. We had seen them play against other teams and they had not done so well. We never thought that they would do well playing against varsity. They were the first ones to score. However, that gave us more motivation to try harder and score. We scored two goals on the first half and they only scored one. During second half neither teams scored. From this experience I learned that looks can be deceiving. Also that no matter if you are playing the weakest team or the strongest you should always give your all.

    Part 2:

    While I was reading both articles I reflected on my experience with soccer. While I read the blog post “Perception vs. Reality” by Amii Sodha I came across the words, “Keep an open mind at all times and remember that point of view is always valuable to each individual.” These words made me remember that at all points in life you should be open minded about anything happening. We underestimated the JV team and came to find that they were better than what they appeared to be. The second blog post, “Your Perception is Your Reality” by Kevin Lamb made me realize that just because you see something it does not mean it is true. When we saw the other team play we thought they weren’t as good because that’s what we viewed, that was our reality. But the reality was they were putting a lot of effort into the game.

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  10. Part one.
    I have this "friend" and her name is "Esperanza". She is always thinking negative and her perception of life is very narrow minded. I try to talk to her all the time and share some of my positive ways of thinking but at the end of the day, it is her own decision to change her life. I use to view this friend with the upmost respect and praised her for what see appeared to have. She seemed to have her life together and she is brilliant, but as I got to know her more, I realized that internally, she struggled more than I had and suddenly I realized that it was unfair of me to put so much pressure on her. I still repect this individual but hope to help her change her perspective in life so that she can better enjoy it.:D

    Part Two
    Personally, (and I don't mean to brag) but I have a very positive outlook on life. I think that this sort of perception and mentality has gotten me to where I am today. Instead of viewing the negative things in life (and though it doesn't look like it, there were a lot of them), with the most positive of perception. For example, both of my parents didn't finish high school, one didn't even finish middle school, but instead of using this as an excuse, I used it to motivate me to pursue a higher education. College Baby!

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  11. PART 1
    well perception has been through everybodys life. In my life perception has been a problem between me and my mom. We both look at life in different way. We never agree in anything, rights always come up just for the dumest thing. The way i look at life is the wrong way for my mom. Even though i have an opem mind with her and her opinions, we cant never talk about how i feel or think, because she will take it in the bad way. I gave up on talking to her and just try to act as if i agree with everything she says in order for us to not fight. i think perception depends on how you want to deal with it and work it out.

    PART 2

    In both article, it basically talks about how perception affects everybody and it depends on you and how you want to look at things. Sometimes assuming things about others or just judging without knowing anything can affect you because you can make them feel bad and you might regret it. Everything depends on ourself, because we are the ones who can controls our action, even though sometimes you wont be able to control yourself on judging others but at least try to not make abvious and try to meet and know them.perception is all on you in wether you work it in a positive way or negative.

    erendira renteria

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  12. 1. While my perception is always an conflict, i was once in a very difficult class when my teacher perception of me was a student who always cheated and acted as an cocky student who thought he was above everybody in he's class because he played "basketball" and thought regardless of he's grade in the class, it wouldn't affect he's chances of going to college, that made me furious and basically i wanted to quit the class, and stopped paying attention and didn't care for the grade i got in the class, i let her perception of me get the best of me and i won't let it happen again.

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  13. While reading the second article, the author states that "a point of view is valuable to an individual" basically meaning what someone "think of you is basically what they think of you" whether its true or not its their point of view, i really don't care think of me like the perception that my teacher had of me, i just go about my business and let her think what she wants to think, like the first article talks about having low perception of yourself, well that's in the past, it wouldn't happen to me again. To conclude, the ideas in perception in both articles are realistic.

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  14. Reading the first article made me think outside the box. It just made me think of highschool, so many students instigate just to see others argue or fight. In most cases its a he or she said this and the person believes it and goes up to the person. I know because it happened to me and i learned that if i didnt hear the person say it then its not true, unless the person itself tells you. Other than that its all lies and negative things. I agreed with the person who wrote the article because a person believes only what it wants to believe.
    Both articles state the facts and all you have to do is open oyur eyes. Its like going with the flow thats all. A person can beleive anything they want. I just dont believe what other people say when they tell me something or if it sounds like its a problem. Those type of things i stay out of and im happy. Theres better things in life than just worrying abotu what other people say. Minds and thoughts in people minds.

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  15. During my fourth period, it is required for me to do an internship. My internship ended up being at the North Park Library. I then learned all the different jobs and various techniques to accomplish them. One of the hardest jobs I learned was processing. Processing included doing perfect stamping on the books. There very first time I attempted to do this job, I only finished 3 books during the whole hour. When my supervisor checked my work, I automatically thought that she hated my work. She kept telling me my mistakes and the list never seem to end. I thought about why I should even try anymore because I was already doing a bad job. I let my thoughts take over my job. It took over the way I worked and the way I looked at the situation. I should never have let my thoughts do that because that would make me a failure before even trying. I have learned from my mistake and will never let me do that again.

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  16. One of my worse habits is letting fear take over me. Though fear is not always a good thing, it can help me figure out more about life. I was always scared to do the littlest things. I had a closed-mind. I have always feared that tiny risk can ruin my life. I have to know that life is always the reality but dreams will always be yours. Realistic to me is something that I think is most real. This ranges from family to complete strangers. An open-mind person will always know their limit; something I should do.

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  17. PART 1
    I remember when I once let regret ruin my day. I was going to do a project with a team member when I decided that we were going to fail just by the look of the guy. He looked like he never studied in his life and did not take school seriously. I told the guy that I regretted having to say I will take anybody as my partner. I told him that I wanted to switch partners the next day. He told me that it was fine by him and he will tell the teacher. It turned out that we both did very good in our project working separately. He really did know his work.

    PART 2
    I can find a connection with the first article because I let regret get the best of me. I let my perception lead me away from what could have been a perfect score in my project. I learned that my view in life greatly impacts my life and those around me whether I notice it or not and whether I care or not. I also discovered that if I keep a positive outlook in life instead of a negative look I will be better off in school, life, and everything I try overall. I will not make the same mistake again.

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  18. When i was a little kid i use to believe my parents hated me and that they took away my toys, yelled at me, and punished me for no reason at all. This caused me to get more out of hand and get into more and more trouble as i was growing up. I had this internal conflict with myself, because i started perceiving that my parents really hate me and being an ignorant child i ignored all the good things they give to me whenever i do behave. Ive grown up since then and now i can use bottem up processing to distinguish the reality of things vs my own minds perception.

    One major idea presented in the reading was the worst perception to have is a low perception of yourself. When i was a kid i didn't think of myself as this amazing human being being able to do various things. That being human is a gift. I percieved myself in the moment when i was a kid and most of the time is was bad perceptions because all kids want to do it grow up.Now i can live in the reality of things, and be a better "eye witness to life" by controlling my assumptions and seeing the reality in things. Because we never know if " this is all just an illusion of the third dimension".

    -Victor Chan

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  19. Part 1:
    Once, there was a time where I was seen as only a B because of the people I used to hang out with. My friends were in fact the people I would never be seen with today. And although that seems harsh, its reality. In middle school, I let people influence me in the way I dress, the music I listened to, and the way I looked at life, not to mention the lack of focus I had in school. I became one of those "metal/rocker" chicks that always hung out with the much older musicians at school. I was even called a groupie because I was always with them. And it made me mad because the people I used to be really close to became very distant after they had the perception that I did not give a flying saucer about anything. In reality I didn’t change. I was still the same old me, except I wore eyeliner. And was a little tougher.
    Part 2:
    For me, the quote “Keep an open mind at all times and remember that point of view is always valuable to each individual.” really got to me because that's how I look at life. I don't really like to be that person that is always pessimistic about everything or being the "Negative Nancy" I tend to look at life as a blessing because people die everyday and I'm happy to be here and trying to make a change. I tend to look at the bright side of things, even when everything goes wrong, and for that I usually get good karma because I don't let anger or negativity get the best of me.

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  20. Part one
    There was this one time at my Chemistry class where my teacher Ms. Olsen gave me an F in the class. I didn’t get that mad because I didn’t try my best so basically I had to work harder. Ms. Olsen had the nerve to call me for mostly every question their was. I felt like she was picking on me only because I had a bad grade. I started to act out on purpose until she stopped calling me out. Every time she called me I responded with “ I don’t know I have an F.” she got mad and gave me a referral. I talked to my consoler and realized my mistake so I apologized to my teacher and now we are cool with each other.

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  21. A time I can recall when I made a false perception of one was at the beginning of the school year. I will admit. I was quite stubborn towards this person. The false accusation I made about this person was a difficult situation for me because not only people got in the middle of things but also because I couldn’t handle the problem on my own with out people butting-in my business. However, today I am pretty close with the person I was wrong about and I learned that I should not let others try to brain wash my mind with useless opinions and nonsense.


    -Ruth Tesfai

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  22. While I skimmed through the second article, I realized that I can relate more to the first article. The second article kind of determined the type of person you are or can be. That is how it stood out to me. I, however, believe that everything depends on an individual. For instance, if you want to be kind to another person, it is within your reach to show one respect and kindness. But still, life is what you make it, so why not make it the best?

    -Ruth Tesfai

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  23. Perceptions vary from person to person. Different people perceive different things about the same situation. But more than that, we assign different meanings to what we perceive. And the meanings might change for a certain person. One might change one's perspective or simply make things mean something else. When I was in the volleyball team, I learned to work with individuals who I really did not enjoy working with. The perception that I had on these certain girls caused a conflict for the whole team and myself too. The outcome of the issue made it harder for us to communicate.

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  24. After reading both articles, they seem interpret that emotions get involve with our perceptions. According to my experience, everyone had different emotions flying around when we were all together. I think depending on how you feel, it will determine the way you view things. I did not like some of my team-mates so I saw as a threat to my volleyball career. Negatives feelings turn out to be negative thoughts about the matter. Another idea presented is reality. Reality is what we see as the truth and I believed that them girls were truly fake leading back to perceptions.

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  25. A friend of mine explained to me that a year ago in biology class they took a unit test. The results for the test came back and the kid who sat next to him copied all his answers. My friend didn't even know or talk to the kid but the teacher labeled them both as cheaters. From then on the teacher would always hover over him when they took a test to make sure he wouldn't cheat. She paid most of the time paying attention to him that two other kids cheated on a test. The teacher then told the entire class if it wasn't for him being a "cheater" she wouldn't of payed all the attention on him during the test. I was shocked to hear that she blamed him for the other two students cheating.

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  26. Part 1:
    Your perceptions tend to portray based on biased and ignoble behavior. My parents has always perceived me to be the child who would actually impact this family. Although it sounds like a honor, it has traumatized and scarred me. Their high expectations limit me from my opinions because I live in a world where they will speak for me. They don’t realize that their perceptions is what creates the tension between each and everyone on of us. They won’t admit if they’re wrong since they have too much pride. I just don’t think I can fully satisfy them, their hopes for me may be an illusion, for now at least.

    Part 2:
    In the article Perception vs. Reality, It actually varies depending on your perspective on life. Both articles explains the purpose of their perspectives. Even so, our point of view does not make our assumptions accurate. “What you see as real is only defined by your belief structure. Your version of what is real is only your perception of it; not what is so.” (p4) Keeping an open mind at all times may help expand your mental capacity and therefore giving you a more positive outlook on life, one that is also from another point of view.

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