Perceptual process
Perceptual process is a sequence of steps that begins with the atmosphere and leads to an individual’s perception of a stimulus and an action in response to the stimulus. It is a continuous process but does not need one to spend a great deal of his or her time thinking about the actual process that happens when one perceives the many stimuli that surrounds one at a particular period (Rock, 2007). Thus in my case, it can be seen that I am currently unable to drive on any interstate as I usually undergo panic attacks when I drive on it. The option that I usually take is find the nearest exit and take the scenic route while traveling long distances.
My perception process is believed to be influenced with mild Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, social fear and anxiety. This situation is neither getting worse nor better, and this has made my parents to think of it as being a phase. This is so as am not afraid to drive on the interstate, but once I am on it, I go into a panic mode for no genuine reason (Stoner, 2012). I presume that the main reason is that am afraid of losing control as I tend to see stars and colors while the road seems to be wavy, and finally I start sweating heavily and my whole body tenses up. Thus, this is something that I need deal with as it is what I just perceive to be and yet it is not the reality of the situation. Basically, this entails that I ought to deal with the situation as it is basically not what I perceive it to be in real live.
Perceptual blocks that influence my views
Since critical thinking means careful analytical consideration and assessment of an item or situation, thus blocks are those factors that limit an individual’s ability to approach something critically. In this case, there is the block of limited frame of reference. It tends to to influence my thinking as limits my perception. It does this by giving meaning to stimuli; it is seen where I tend to be afraid of losing control while on the interstate (Rock, 2007). Moreover, I see stars, colors, and the road seems to be wavy which drastically makes me start sweating heavily. I also start breathing hard and my whole body tenses up; an implication of me panicking over something that is not there. Another block that influences my critical thinking is the issue of being diagnosed with Mild Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, social fear and anxiety. It is getting the better of me as I am almost convinced that it is the cause of my current situation (Stoner, 2012). It is so as it is neither getting worse nor better, hence making my situation uncomfortable as I intend to have my life back. There is also the aspect of my parents who think of it as being a phase; this is so as am not afraid of the interstate, but once am on it I start panicking for no reason.
Critical thinking process and how it is changed by perception
Critical thinking is an imperative tool as it includes the capability to evaluate the premises of one’s reasoning, and the interpretation of another individual’s viewpoint. It also entails the controlled assessment of information sources whereas perception is the way we look at things. This shows that critical thinking is an important tool as it assists in solving community problems and in developing interventions (Rock, 2007). Basing on the issue of how perception influences critical thinking, it can be seen that what we see affects what one is thinking. This is so as the information that we get from the interpretation of our senses either affects the way we think or goes to the extent of fortifying the way we think about issues around us.
In addition, this also shows that our thinking or current perception of things filters new information so that it fits the perception that an individual’s mind is willing to retain. Therefore, basing on my case of panicking when I drive on the interstate, it can be seen that perception got the better of me as opposed to my critical thinking. This is so as it influenced me to perceive that there were stars, colors and that the road seemed to be getting wavy. On the contrary, employing the critical process, and separating emotion from the issue at hand would have greatly benefited my issue/situation (Stoner, 2012). It would also have enabled me to deal adequately with the issue of panicking over nothing as opposed to perceiving things that were actually not there in reality. Thus, this shows that perception is there but with critical thinking process, it can be avoided in order to bring things into reality.
References
Stoner, J (2012) Logic and Imagination in the Perception of Truth: The Nature of Pure Activity in Two Series, Book I And, , Book 2, Nabu Press.
Rock, I (2007)The Logic of Perception, Mit Press
