In 1896, George Stratton chose to wear a pair of eyeglasses that inverted the world. Everything looked upside down.
Imagine his first few days, trying to navigate an upside-down world. I’m guessing it might have been akin to the way we feel when thrown off balance in a conflict situation: More than a few stumbles and tumbles.
After a few days, though, Stratton’s brain adapted, and he was able to function normally even with the glasses on. Instead of seeing things upside down, his brain adjusted so that Stratton would see what he expected to.
I’ve always loved this little research snippet because it’s a great way to remember that what we’re absolutely positively completely and totally sure is true about someone or a problem…may not be.
Maybe your brain just adjusted to help you see what you expect to. So if you’re sure they’re passive aggressive, your brain helps you select data that will confirm your diagnosis, and ignore data that offers a more complex picture.
What would you see if you took off your own upside-down glasses?