Edsa and perceptual selectivity

Perceptual selectivity is a basic concept in philosophy that explores how we selectively perceive and process sensory information from our environment. A crucial aspect of perceptual selectivity is the limit to our attention. It is impossible for us to perceive every stimulus in our environment simultaneously. Therefore, we must prioritize certain sensory information over others based on factors such as relevance, familiarity, and other considerations.

Let’s explore the concept of perceptual selectivity through an example. Imagine being in a crowded room where we are engaged in a conversation with a friend. Despite the noise and distractions around us, we are able to focus solely on our conversation, filtering out everything else to maintain our connection. On the other hand, there are times when we intentionally ignore our friend in a crowd because we are not in the mood to interact with him or her. This is known as perceptual defense.

Additionally, there are instances when we may perceive things in an exaggerated or understated manner. For example, when we describe our friend’s pink dress as beautiful, though in reality we see it as flashy. This is an example of perceptual exaggeration. Conversely, when we comment about a friend’s jewelry as looking cheap even though we know it is actually expensive, we are engaging in perceptual understatement.

Is the Edsa 1986 People Power Revolution intentionally left out of this year’s list of holidays? The omission can be attributed to perceptual selectivity and defense mechanisms by individuals in positions of power. If they choose to minimize the historical importance of this event through their biased viewpoints, they are engaging in perceptual understatement. Moreover, if they insinuate that the Edsa 1986 revolution, which ultimately resulted in the drafting of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, is responsible for our current economic difficulties, they are guilty of perceptual exaggeration.

In other words, perceptual selectivity suggests that our perceptions are not objective reflections of reality, but rather subjective interpretations shaped by our biases and mental filters. When examining current events through this lens, it becomes evident that our understanding of history can be distorted, leading to the perpetuation of myths, stereotypes, and misinformation.

REGINALD B. TAMAYO,

Marikina City