Feeling is a self-contained phenomenal experience or any experienced sensation, particularly a tactile or temperature sensation (e.g., pain, coldness).Feelings are subjective, evaluative, and independent of the sensations, thoughts, or images evoking them. they're inevitably evaluated as pleasant or unpleasant, but they will have more specific intrapsychic qualities, so that, for instance , the affective tone of fear is experienced as different from that of anger. The core characteristic that differentiates feelings from cognitive, sensory, or perceptual intrapsychic experiences is that the link of affect to appraisal. Feelings differ from emotions in being purely mental, whereas emotions are designed to interact with the planet.
The question that arises is that should we trust our feelings-or facts? The answer is way more complicated than most of us think. Somehow, over the past few decades it's become a traditional wisdom that we should put our faith in our feelings. That is, if we feel something—especially if we feel it strongly—then it deserves to be seen as valid, or genuine. The adage "trust your feelings" has by now become almost apodictic. But ultimately, how logical—or, how safe—is it to conclude that if we feel something strongly, we should both accept it and allow it to control our behavior?
Every moment, now and then, some people get a feeling that isn’t real. They may think that it’s genuine, it may feel very genuine, and they may truly believe it’s genuine, but it’s just a feeling. It is wise to remember that, as important as emotions are, feelings aren’t facts. Many things may produce an emotional response. Some are in the moment, others are from our past, and many people get worried about the uncertain future. Still other emotions may be a response to mere fantasies, lies we tell ourselves that make us unhappy. They may also be an outcome of misunderstandings. There is no end to the amount of feeling (both positive and negative) that flows through our lives on a daily basis; the trick is to learn how to differentiate between feelings that are born out of our imagination and those that are genuine and verifiable.
Scientists have developed multiple theories to describe how people process and think about information. Unfortunately, there’s an increasing tendency to see people as creatures whose reasoning techniques are largely dependent on a narrow set of processes. For instance, one popular theory suggests that if we just communicate more precise information to people, their behavior will change accordingly. Another suggests that people will discard evidence if it threatens their deeply held cultural worldviews and associated feelings. The cognitive-behavioral therapy (and rational emotive behavior therapy as well) is derived from the theory that how we think decides how we feel. But as this theory itself might ask, if our thoughts are overemphasized, distorted or for that matter, downright delusional. How can we possibly place our faith in any feelings that arise from such irrational thoughts? Are we not in a garbage in, garbage out type of situation here? For if our thoughts are mistaken or based on false assumptions, the feelings bound to these thoughts are distorted and hard to trust.
Facts Vs Feelings
One well-known theory about how people absorb facts is the “information deficit model.” The main idea here is: If you throw more facts at people, they’ll come around on an issue in time. Most behavioral science scholars agree that this model of human thinking and behavior is distinctly incomplete – people rely on a range of other indications besides facts in directing their attitudes and behavior. For example, sometimes we simply react based on how we feel about an issue. Unfortunately, the facts aren't always convincing.
Another theory is called “cultural cognition.” It suggests that our cultural values and worldviews influence how we think about science and society. It’s easy to be duped into thinking of the human brain as a sponge that soaks up only the information it wants to be genuine. The main idea is to protect our cultural worldviews, we actively discard evidence that threatens them.
People often want to be precise in their views and in an uncertain world tied by limited time and effort, we make strategic bets on what information to take into account. Many studies have found that highlighting scientific consensus on man-made global warming can help reduce conflicting ideas about climate change. In short, facts do matter.
The best thing to do when you feel like something is wrong is to check it. Don't sit on it, push it down, or try to ignore it; your feelings will not cooperate. Sometimes the only way out is to get in the mood and start looking at how you can create yourself. Combine that with soft (not accusatory) questions of the person or people you believe may be the cause. Seek the truth and open to see how your feelings might be wrong. It may also be helpful to get an idea from someone you trust. This process isn’t an easy one, but it is far less painful than living your life feeling like your world is crashing in on you.
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