The Emotions and Selective Perception

Another one of Aristotle’s philosophy was regarding the emotion and selective perception that summarized by B.R. Hergenhahn in History of Psychology’s text book (p.56- 57). Aristotle brought the awareness on emotion when he proposed that without emotion, humans could be missing on what is relevant (S.Nancy, 1989). He suggested that emotions influenced and intensified one’s behavior. For instance, people who are afraid tend to run faster after being threatened by a snake as compared to leisurely jogging. When people are angered they have a tendency to pick a fight because emotion can drive one’s motive of action. Anger can be excited from the injury that someone has caused and fear does elicited when facing danger and both happened because of the presence of cognition process. Aristotle added that the emotion cannot be blind feelings but intended by directed states.

Furthermore, the way people perceive things can also be influenced by the emotion and this is called as selective perception. The virtues and vices can be included in one’s perception on things or to other people. According to the writer, S.Nancy, 1989, “Virtues are defined as states by which we stand well or badly with regard to feelings”. For example, if someone is hating the other one, even for something good, he or she will deny the good side of that person because of bad perception that he or she has on that particular person. People can be responding on their emotional sensitivity to act on certain circumstances. The important point by Aristotle on the perception was it is not just our perception on things what matters but the perception and emotional impact from others to our presence determine whether we become vulnerable to them. Aristotle added that our per...

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... about the existence of soul and its types and functions. Some scholars just expanded and provide more explanation on others ideas or theories. Their ideas and theories after all give inspiration and become as a guideline for us to use in our daily life. Third, the application of the theories or ideas into daily life could be good. As Aristotle claimed that perception should be dual play, we perceive from others as well how others perceive about us what is important. Thus, we need to take care of others’ feelings so that they do not think that our presence as a threat. Plus, if we know how much important the idea of emotion is driving the action, we can learn how to control the excessive emotions like anger, sad, and fear perhaps by the positive thoughts because sometimes our emotions can be exaggerated or another way by seeking help from the health professionals.