Understanding Human Perception and Bias

 

After 14 years of arguing/discussing with many educators/researchers on social media, I have discovered that the human mind's tendency to cling to accepted ideas can serve as both a protective mechanism and a barrier to growth.

The human mind is a complex and fascinating entity, often resistant to change once it has settled on a particular understanding or belief. This phenomenon can be likened to the biological processes of reproduction, where the human egg has a protective mechanism that allows only one sperm to fertilize it, effectively shutting out others. Similarly, once our minds accept a plausible explanation, it can become a framework through which we interpret all subsequent information.

I don't consider myself religious or particularly interested in politics. The examples below are meant solely for illustration.

A child raised in a Christian household and taken to church from a young age may struggle to listen to a Muslim perspective when he reaches 20. The same can be said in reverse.

Likewise, someone who has supported a specific political party for years is often unwilling to hear arguments from the opposition, even if those arguments present valid reasons for why the opposing party might be preferable.

Similarly, a child who has been taught incorrect sounds for letters since toddlerhood will face challenges later on. Some children somehow overcome these challenges while some disengage from learning to read.

The analogy of the human egg illustrates a significant cognitive bias: once we accept an idea, it becomes challenging to entertain new ones. This bias often leads us to seek information that supports our existing beliefs while dismissing or overlooking conflicting evidence. Just as the egg's shut-off device protects it from multiple fertilizations, our minds can become closed off to alternative perspectives, creating a rigid framework of understanding.

In the natural world, we observe similar patterns of behaviour in social insects, such as ants. An ant's simple behavioural program compels it to follow the ant in front, often leading to a phenomenon known as the "ant mill." When a group of ants loses their way and begins to walk in circles, they can become trapped in this repetitive behaviour, sometimes until they perish. This example serves as a metaphor for human behaviour; just as ants can become stuck in a loop, individuals can find themselves ensnared in their cognitive frameworks, unable to break free from established thought patterns.

Knowing the above why do I keep writing articles on my blog post? With intentional effort, there will be some who will break free and embrace new ideas. But more importantly, readers of my articles who have not had their minds messed up by teachers training colleges, and so-called researchers will be better able to see the truth.

It took about 5 years for research students who visited my blog in 2010 to debunk the theory that phonological awareness deficit is the cause of dyslexia. As of 2010 that theory had lasted and repeated by many for more than 35 years.

Similarly, I believe some research students/teachers will share what I have discovered. Some groups may one day get Baby TV to stop broadcasting Charlie and the Alphabet programme.