Can motivation affect perception?

Motivational states or our wishes and preferences (conscious or subconscious) influence how we process or perceive certain things. Essentially, we see what we want to see. This may be a concept that comes with an immediate internal argument of, “No! I see things as they are!” Researchers have studied the way that our underlying motivations may shape the way we perceive and see things. Their findings show that we see things how we want them to be, rather than how they truly are. 

Our brains are always guessing. In a 2006 study, participants were shown an ambiguous figure, which could be seen as either the letter B or 13. Participants reported seeing the interpretation that came with outcomes they personally favorited. Researchers concluded that the motivation or subconscious preference for a particular outcome influences the perception and interpretation of visual stimuli.

Another famous study examined people's views at two major universities following a hotly contested football game between the schools. There were injuries between players on each team and violence. Debate after the game involved discussion over who had been at fault, who had started it. Scientists at each of the schools involved, Princeton and Dartmouth, collaborated to understand why and how each group of viewers, having watched the same game, could have a different perspective of what had happened, how, and why. Ultimately, through their attempts to determine that, the researchers concluded that Princeton fans wanted Princeton to look good, to be blameless in the event, and the same applied to Dartmouth’s fans. They saw and perceived what they wanted to. 

What can we do with the understanding that we see things as we may want them to be for whatever reason, rather than seeing things as they are? We can learn to understand ourselves and others better. Recognizing that our perceptions aren’t the absolute truth of reality can help us see past areas of disagreement for others. When we know that two people can see the same image or have the same experience and come away with different takes on it, we can take time to understand our own underlying motivations and ask ourselves important questions. We can also pause and try to understand what the reasoning behind someone else’s perception may be.