Identity and Perceptions

cwts 1
lesson #3

This lesson tries to show students the relationship between perception and cultural conditioning. This will show the students how we all have differing viewpoints depending where we are coming from in terms of individual life experiences and cultural background. These differing perspectives towards issues and situations can easily lead us to conflict if we do not try to understand the perspectives and views of other people.

1. Have fun in identifying one or two images within one picture. Let the others who are able to see the two images help you to see them.






2.
 When we look at the world, do we see the world as it is?
 Is seeing a matter of our eyes telling us what we see or it is more of our mind telling us what we see?
 What is the role of culture in creating perspectives?
 What is the implication of this on how we see and interpret problems? Cite one concrete issue that may have a bearing on the Mindanao Problem.


3. “The way a person receives, processes, and understands a certain message mainly relies on that person’s perception. An individual’s perception may be influenced by one’s identity, cultural background and life experiences.”

4. Answer the following questions.
 Have you ever had a conflict with someone because you had different ideas about something?
 Or, because you had different information about the same topic?
 How did you solve it?
 How can we solve conflicts over different viewpoints?
5. Consider these two articles. “I Am an Individual” and “Stereotyping.” React by asking them to write one word or two under the paragraph
A. I am an individual.
I have dignity and worth.
I am unique.
I deserve respect and I respect others.
I am part of the human family.
I have something special to offer the world.
I committed to a peaceful world for all of us.
I make a difference and so do you.
I can accomplish whatever I set to do and so can you.
I am the key to peace.

B. Stereotyping is a way of imposing one’s identity. It is about standardizing ideas about members of particular groups. It is often used in a negative or prejudicial sense, and is used to justify certain behaviors such as discrimination. Stereotyping reduces complexity and provides opportunities of identifying oneself with others. Common stereotypes include a variety of allegations about groups based on age, ethnicity, gender, nationality, and social class, among others.

6. Summary of the lesson:
“We all see the world differently. If we understand that our views are different, shaped by our own experiences of life, it is easier for us to understand one another. We must take time to listen and understand each other's ideas before creating conflict with one another."