Are we predisposed to judging people on our preconceived notions?

Our thought process works in a much-channelized manner. We tend to form a particular notion of any person based on our past experiences. This in turn advertently or inadvertently affects our thought process when we encounter them for the next time. If we go by judging the same person on the basis of our preconceived notion rather than judging on the present can be very perilous for us as well as for that person.



I guess you are not puzzled by what I mean to say. Let me clarify it with an example. Consider a person X. You have already met with X but your experience with him/her was not good due to some reason (the reason may or may not be valid or it may even be a misunderstanding). Now, as a result of this meeting, your mind will form a notion for X which is unpleasant because of the disastrous meet (as per you!!). In future if X tries to mend the situation or say X tires to gain your sympathy by doing something but before completely considering the facts and understanding the situation you again feel bad and run away from X. What can be the reason for this? You guessed right the roadblock is nothing but your preconceived notion here.

An example of Preconceived notion.

We, humans, have a tendency to think that no matter what I am right…I know it. But, it is not the case!! I do not say that you are wrong every time but may be sometimes. Because of misunderstanding of one time, you may lose somebody who is really amicable.

Ergo, don’t go by judging people on your preconceived notion but analyse every situation distinctly and judge on the basis of that, judge on the basis of reality etc. This will help you to make a better judgement about anybody.