There are a number of ways in which self-oriented perception can affect our thinking.
- It can make us more likely to attribute our successes to our own abilities and our failures to external factors. For example, if we do well on a test, we might think that we are smart, but if we do poorly, we might blame the teacher or the test itself.
- It can make us more likely to remember positive information about ourselves and forget negative information. For example, we might remember all the times we have been praised, but forget the times we have been criticized.
- It can make us more likely to interpret ambiguous information in a way that is favorable to us. For example, if someone gives us a compliment, we might think that they are genuinely impressed with us, but if they give us a criticism, we might think that they are just being mean.
Self-oriented perception can have a number of positive benefits. It can help us to feel good about ourselves and to maintain our self-esteem. It can also help us to motivate ourselves and to achieve our goals. However, it is important to be aware of the potential biases that can come with self-oriented perception and to take steps to correct for them.
Here are some tips for correcting for self-oriented perception:
- Be aware of your own biases. Pay attention to the ways in which you tend to think about yourself and others. Are you more likely to see yourself in a positive light? Do you tend to make excuses for your own mistakes?
- Seek out feedback from others. Ask your friends, family, and colleagues to give you honest feedback about your strengths and weaknesses. This can help you to see yourself more clearly and to identify areas where you need to improve.
- Be willing to change your mind. If you are presented with new information about yourself that is contrary to your beliefs, be willing to change your mind. This is a sign of intellectual humility and will help you to make better decisions.
Self-oriented perception is a natural human tendency, but it is important to be aware of the potential biases that can come with it. By taking steps to correct for these biases, you can make more accurate judgments about yourself and others.