我们的头脑如何让我们看见想看到的东西
How Our Minds Trick Us Into Seeing What We Want
Our perception of reality is not as objective as we like to think. In fact, our minds regularly filter and modify what we see based on our desires, expectations, and past experiences. This psychological phenomenon is often called “perceptual bias”.
我们对现实的感知，其实远没有我们想象得那么客观。实际上，我们的大脑常常会根据自己的欲望、期待和过往经验过滤、修改我们看到的内容。心理学上，这种现象通常被称为“感知偏差”。
When faced with ambiguous information, our brains tend to fill in the gaps according to what we hope or believe to be true. For example, if we are eager for good news, we might interpret a vague message in a positive way. On the other hand, if we expect disappointment, we may focus only on the negative details.
当面对模糊的信息时，我们的大脑往往会根据自己的期待或信念自行“补全”内容。比如，我们急切盼望好消息时，可能把含糊的信息解读成积极的意思；而如果我们预期会遭遇失望，视线就会不自觉地聚焦在消极细节上。
This tendency is known as “confirmation bias”. People naturally seek evidence that supports what they already believe, while ignoring facts that contradict their views. This explains why two people can experience the same event but walk away with completely different impressions.
这种倾向被称为“确认偏差”。人们总是倾向于寻找能证明自己观点的证据，忽略那些不符合自身立场的信息。这也解释了为什么同一个事件，不同的人可以得出完全不同的结论。
Our emotions also play a huge role in shaping what we see. When we are anxious, we notice more threats; when we are hopeful, we see more possibilities. As a result, our minds create a version of reality that matches our inner world—not necessarily the actual facts.
情绪同样极大影响着我们的感知。当我们焦虑时，更容易留意到危险或负面信号；而当我们充满希望时，则会看到更多美好的可能性。因此，我们的大脑实际上是在创造一个与内心世界相一致的现实，而不一定和事实本身完全吻合。
Understanding these “mental tricks” can help us stay open-minded and avoid jumping to conclusions. By being aware of our biases, we have a better chance of recognizing new truths, communicating honestly, and seeing the world from a broader perspective.
认识到这些“大脑的小把戏”，能让我们保持开放的心态，避免仓促下结论。如果能觉察到自己的偏见，我们就更可能发现新的事实、坦诚交流，也能用更宽广的视角去看待世界。
【短语积累 Vocabulary Bank】
- perception of reality —— 对现实的感知
- filter and modify —— 过滤和修饰
- perceptual bias —— 感知偏差
- fill in the gaps —— 填补空白
- interpret…in a … way —— 以……方式解读……
- confirmation bias —— 确认偏差
- ignore contradicting facts —— 忽略矛盾事实
- walk away with an impression —— 带着某种印象离开
- shape what we see —— 影响我们的所见
- create a version of reality —— 创造出一个现实版本
- jump to conclusions —— 草率下结论
- stay open-minded —— 保持开放心态
- broader perspective —— 更宽广的视角
📌文章CEFR 等级： B2–C1 级
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