Can we really be objective? Scientists doubt this because the human brain makes perceptual errors. Read here what that means.
Perceptual errors: Why there is no objective perception
You will encounter them during dating, at work and also in relatives: the so-called perception errors. The Errors of perception, also called errors of judgment, are a field of research in psychology that examines our judgment. Most of us would probably say that we are right in our judgments and judgments can remain objective. In fact, we can be influenced subconsciously and often do not perceive our environment as factually and impartially as we suspect.
Because our brain has to deal with many different perceptions and information on a daily basis, there is a type Filter function for impressions. And that's exactly why what we perceive is never a sober picture of the situation, but always one Interpretation of what happened. And that can sometimes lead to wrong decisions.
To clarify what perceptual errors mean for you in everyday life, we should look at a few typical errors that psychologists have discovered. Here we go!
1. The halo effect
Imagine dating a surgeon who can save lives. Later on you will find out completely different things about him that are not so positive: for example, that he cheated on his last girlfriend and already has a criminal record. Because the lifesaver aspect though makes so much impression, getting to know each other continues.
Here it hits "Halo effect" to. It is one of the most famous mistakes in research. "Halo" means "halo" in German. So the point is that we let ourselves be captured by people who have an extremely positive, outstanding quality, the overshadows everything negative. Due to the "halo effect", we are not completely objective when assessing people – this can of course lead to problems.
2. The primary effect
There is no second chance for it the first impression! In fact, science confirms this saying through the "Primary effect", which is also known as the primacy effect. This says that we the first perceptionmostly maintained over a person. So if an applicant is late for the interview, the boss tends to blame them for being late even weeks after the job. If, on the other hand, the interview starts very positively at the beginning, the applicant will be continuously rated better.
By the way: Here are tips on how to make your first impression.
3. Perceptual errors: the similarity effect
When we meet someone who is like us, we subconsciously develop immediately Sympathy for this person. We are then less critical, forgive more quickly and assume that he has good intentions. This "Similarity Effect" is neither good nor bad – but it still tarnishes objectivity. If you are looking for a job, it may well be that, with the same qualifications, the employer will ultimately choose someone who similar properties brings along. For example, the same region of birth or the same hobby.
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4. The contrast effect
On the contrary to "Similarity Effect" The "contrast effect" is not about similarity, but about opposites. This assessment error is very complex and occurs in different areas – for example on a social level. Our judgment is greatly changed when we are opposite Perceiving opposites to ourselves. In doing so, we either rate the person strong on or strongly and so lose our objectivity. These opposites can arise, for example, through a different language or through different characteristics and abilities.
The contrast effect also occurs in the marketing on. If the blouse is reduced from 80 to 50 euros, it suddenly seems much more interesting to you than if it had always cost 50 euros. This would be a positive contrast effect: Due to the contrary context, we rate the product more positively.
5. The Benjamin Effect
We trust people who are still over few experience automatically less – that says the "Benjamin Effect". We experience this error of judgment both at work as well as in private. If a dating candidate has not yet had a long relationship, we become skeptical and trust the person to be less willing or able to relate. The situation is similar at work: those who have no work experience are usually taken less seriously by bosses – regardless of how good the results are.
Where does the name come from? "Our Benjamin" is a slang term used to describe the youngest son in the family. The expression has a biblical origin: in the Old Testament Jacob had 12 sons, of which Benjamin was the youngest son. Hence the name "Benjamin Effect" alludes to a young age that is supposed to symbolize inexperience.
6. The Nicholas Effect
Well, were you good this year too? When Santa Claus announces himself, according to the traditional statement, there is a rod or a present. At the "Nicholas Effect", also called Rezenzeffekt, it's (unfortunately) not about chocolate or Christmas. It's about the fact that we often talk to each other when assessing refer to the last period and leave everything before aside. The reason: We remember recent events particularly well.
7. The Pygmalion Effect
If we once made a judgment we look for confirmation of this assumption and ignore everything else – that's what the says "Pygmalion Effect". That means: our brain urges us to stick to our judgment. Incidentally, this also applies to the consideration of our own personality. With the assumption "I'm just not respected" We suddenly come across many situations in everyday life that seem to confirm this – but overlooked when others show us respect. Observations that do not fit the judgment are not included in the assessment. And that makes us irrelevant (and, in this example, unhappy).
8. If-then errors
This assessment error is based on experience-based assessments. For example, we believe that a well-dressed person is also very neat. Strictly speaking, appearance and order are not directly related to one another – but through the "If-Then-Failure" our assessment is no longer entirely factual.
Perceptual errors: do we have to come to terms with it?
You see: We think in many ways not really objective. There is nothing we can do about how others assess and judge us. But we can use the usual ones ourselves Make people aware of errors in judgment and take countermeasures.
After all, we are often not even aware that we are insisting on the first impression (primary effect) or focusing on a good quality and ignoring everything else (halo effect). With the knowledge of the perceptual errors we can in many situations stay more neutral – and therefore less likely to be injured, surprised or disappointed.
Within the psychology there are also other exciting topics that might interest you as well. For example, do you already know the method called Myers-Briggs or the OCEAN model? This allows you to analyze your own character!
You can also find many other exciting topics relating to personality in the BRIGITTE Community. Have a look!