Picture a ladder. Each rung of the ladder represents a step toward inference. We begin on the bottom rung with reality and facts or data. Are you as acutely aware as I am that we have more information at our fingertips than we can ever use? Therefore, we must take the next step on the ladder by selecting which available data we will use. Step two is selected data/reality.
The next step we take is to affix meaning to the limited data we have selected. In other words, we interpret the data. Then we make assumptions about the data. From our assumptions we draw conclusions about what we assume. Then our conclusions lead to beliefs, and our beliefs lead to actions. Of course, if on any step along the ladder we are incorrect, we will be led astray.
This model of how people process information is an invaluable help to relationships, leadership, and decision making across the board. In addition to these initial seven steps, it is also obvious that it is self-reinforcing. For example, our beliefs will naturally influence the data we select. Now we are in a feedback loop that reinforces itself regardless of the truth.
Have you ever been in a meeting where everyone was intrigued with the speaker except for one person? Regardless of the attentiveness of everyone else, all you can see is the restlessness of the one. You have already selected data from all of the available information. Then you affix the meaning that this person is not interested in what is being said. Therefore you conclude that she disagrees with the speaker. Now your belief about her leads to actions that may cause you to either confront her about it or to tell others what you know.
But what if she was distracted by something that had just happened? What if she received a text when you weren’t watching and was merely staying put out of respect? How does that change the reality? This is a poor oversimplification, but isn’t it obvious that we do this sort of inferring every day? And isn’t it dangerous to walk up this ladder too quickly or with limited information?
1 comment:
I don't think your example is oversimplified at all. Actually, it's exactly the sort of thing I've encountered in churches myself. There's always the 'us' vs. 'them' even though 'us' doesn't give 'them' the benefit of the doubt. Where's the grace??
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