PERCEPTION AND PERSONALITY

“We are, what we think we are”, this famous quote is solely based on figurative perception, which extends to our outlook to external world as well. Every person has a unique assessment of self and direct environment. Usually, perception of one is also limited by age groups such as perception of children is mostly based on fantasy and imagination which later develops the base of reality. When we talk about perception of old age group, their perception is based on their life experiences and learning. Some of the perceptions are universal, others are based on age factor and REST are unique in their own way.

Perception plays an important role in formation of personality which is derived from a Greek word means “Mask”. The perception toward the external world formulate our outer personality which can be observed by others, on the other hand perception towards self leads to understanding of our true self, which may or may not be alike our external personality. But, when we enter into any working sector, we are expected to present a certain type of personality. Portraying a ‘different’ personality as expected by certain type job position and title often makes us act differently. Most of the times, these actions become a part of our life and we start taking them for granted. Hence these forced actions eventually chalk out our perception of how a self and others should behave. But, we forget that we only have control of self and not our direct environment, and these unharmonious actions slowly start developing stress. Additionally, peer-competition also creeps in and we further act stretching beyond our limits. These unsought actions harden our impressions, and often we try to direct our actions through our perceived distorted picture.

Distortion in perception leads to many psychological problems. For example if a person perceives oneself as inferior (internal perception) and perceives own life’s situation unsatisfactory (external perception) leading to depression and adjustment problems. For healthy mental health Positive Perception towards self as well as external world is essential for understanding of our potential to achieve growth and development. Hence, correct perception is essential in being able to directing positive energy of self and being able to utilize its full potential, knowing what is our limit as well.

Generally positive perception is described on basis when we say that glass is half full of water instead of half empty, but even when we are saying that the glass is half full, we are still neglecting the half part! There should be acceptance and fullness in the perception, which means we should perceive positive as well as negative aspect so that we can modify it into a positive one. In order to create balance in our life we have to perceive every paradigm of a situation, analyze it thoroughly, develop learning out of it, and act accordingly. There are no rules, but just knowing the self…and that is true personality.

By
Lohit Balani