1. Behavior is not determined by objective facts, but by the meanings, the individual attaches to those facts.
2. Some individuals' perceptions about "most people" and/or "self" may be illusory, irrational, or unreal.
Nevertheless, these perceptions are real and reasonable to the individuals and are influential on their behaviors. Beware this trap. It's easy to assume Dr. Birkman's comments only apply to our external interactions. Not true. They apply equally to the internal monolog going on in our heads. If we fool ourselves, we don't have that solid personal footing from which to judge what's going on around us.
I would go as far as to say if our internal monolog is full of these "illusory, irrational, our unreal perceptions," all our external interactions will be negatively affected.
This commentary is not necessarily a condemnation of those people who believe the election is not over. It is a critical appraisal of thinking deficiencies inherent in the human narrative. We are all prone to falling into the traps of the logical fallacies that fill our language. They are endemic in our nation's public conversation.
If you want to learn more, my upcoming book, "Loosing" Your Mind: Liberating Your Intellect for Critical Thinking, is dedicated to helping readers become more critical observers of their thinking and the national narrative that spreads the infection of division and animosity.
We can make a difference if we try.
Robert De Filippis
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