Perspective Thinking

Perspective.

We all have one.
Just like how it is illustrated in the graphic beside this paragraph, depending on where we are, perspective decides on how we form opinions of the World around us.

Let me give you one example.

When the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, apologised for causing problems to Singapore and Malaysia for the Indonesian Haze, depending on one's perspective, one could think that he was being generous and honest or he could be perceived as weak and bowing to its neighbors.

Perspective is about knowing where our ideas or views came from and being open to different or other views.

Now why am I writing about this? So often, we hear about people complaining and airing their grievances, and yes, to that person, those grievances could be very valid.

But consider this idea, before airing those grievances, take a step back and think, does it really matter? Is your problem or issue really that large to be made an issue? How does one learn to tell the difference?

Simple Answer: Education at home and school

I spoke to some teachers over the weekend and the general consensus was that students/youths of today, are not taught enough about Perspective Taking. Why that particular skill? It is because as they grow up, they are going to start forming and sticking to certain thinking and mindset on particular opinions. Such as what is their political affiliation or acceptance, their preference in work style and even the type of holidays they go on. Perspective Taking is important to help youths learn to explore all views and not just their own.

I am going to avoid talking about Socratic Questioning in this post, but Perspective Taking is something that is closely linked with that. Youths are very moldable at their current age. Easily influenced and can swing to extremes in terms of support or opposition because they tend to face tunnel vision fairly quickly.

Here is 4 basic steps on how to execute Perspective Taking:

1. When you come into my space, I have a little thought about you and you have a little thought about me.
2. I wonder “why are you near me?,” “what is your purpose for being near me?” “Is it because you are just sharing the space, do you intend to talk to me or do you intend to harm me?” I have to consider all these things in order to keep me safe around people as well as to predict what will happen next.
3. Since we have thoughts about each other, I wonder what you are thinking about me. 
4. To keep you thinking about me the way I would like you to think about me, I monitor and possibly modify my behavior to keep you thinking about me the way I want you to think about me.

Why is this relevant to education? Why must I, as a parent or teacher teach my child/student this skill?

In countries such as the US, where different areas of the country have different ideology, and many a times they may not understand each other's views. So often we have heard about elections, swing votes, etc... what does it all mean? Why does it matter?

Perspective Taking takes us back to the underestimated skill of teaching us on how we should be open to new views all the time. By teaching the young, we are preparing the next generation skills to not look inwardly, but in a global perspective. As the world continues to shrink due to the Internet and we are more and more interconnected through trade, politics and religion, it is important that we do not fall into the complacency that my view is the only view, as often accused by many countries to each other. Rather we should continue to strive for open conversation and debate.

To all parents and teachers:

• Question your child/students.
• Make them think about cause and effect.
• Challenge them to make a better world even if the world says No.

Remember, education is not just about imparting knowledge, it is also teaching them how to gain knowledge. School systems have been guilty of this mistake for many years. Parents have been guilty of leaving it up to schools to equip their children with everything. For too long we teach and educate based on a single set of knowledge, but have we taught how to gain new knowledge? How will they be creative or challenge the status quo? Have we become so cynical of change that we will not teach those skills and letting the child come to his or her conclusion?

I want to give a special mention of my secondary school History teacher of mine.
Yes, I know. History is a humanities subject and involves Perspective Taking but that is not the point. I remember her telling me something which till this day I value. She told me, never accept anything at face value until you have determined it to be so.

Perspective taking is just that. We should never accept one's views wholesale, even when it comes from yourself or from a credible source. Being human, we are prone to mistakes and tunnel vision. Let us go back to the point where we enjoy learning and challenging all views brought to us.

Remember, teaching selectively is not teaching at all.

Don't expect to just teach facts, but teach skills to confirm those facts.

Only then will we be properly adding foundations for our children for the future.