What is it about?
Our perception of reality is not constructed on our own. Instead, other people often have a profound influence on how we see reality, from our impression of a new city to our understanding of complex systems like the economy. This article explores who we allow to influence our perceptions of reality. In other words, do we let anyone around us influence our perceptions, or only specific people? We find that people are motivated to let those who help them with their goals (e.g., academic goals, career goals) influence their perceptions of reality. By seeing the world in a similar way with your study buddy, for example, people might be able to better bond with that person and do better at school.
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Why is it important?
Understanding how our perceptions of reality are shaped is crucial! While we might think that we figure out reality by ourselves, others influence us much more than we tend to realize. Knowing that it's especially those around us who help us with our goals that shape our perceptions of reality could, for example, tell us something about why we defend our beliefs. We might defend our beliefs about reality because they connect us with important people in our lives that support us with crucial goals and ambitions.
Perspectives
Love this article! I think it's really cool that our beliefs and perceptions about he world are in some sense a by-product of our everyday goals :)
Abdo Elnakouri
Northwestern University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Goal-colored glasses: Goal instrumentality shapes when and with whom
shared reality emerges., Motivation Science, October 2024, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/mot0000369.
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