What You Think is What You See

What You Think is What You See
(Adapted from your textbook)

From http://www.holisticeducator.com/perception.jpg

What You Think is What You See
(Adapted from your textbook)

The people who believed the earth is flat had a perception of the world that is different from reality. Have you ever noticed when people believe something, that is all they can see? For example, if you are looking at a cloud and your friend thinks they see a dog, all of a sudden you can see one too! This is because of the human trait perception.

How you see the world is based on your background knowledge (what you know before), biases, and even the recent suggestions made to you by the world around you.

How does this relate to explorers and the Northwest Passage?

Background Knowledge
The Europeans had no firm background knowledge about North America. Nobody really knew what it looked like or how big it was. Therefore, it was possible the Northwest Passage could exist because nobody said it didn't.

Bias
The European explorers and monarch were biased in favour of the Northwest Passage because it suited their agenda and it matched with their goals.

Immediate Suggestions
Maps during this time showed the Northwest Passage existed. The dream of this passage would be gone when the reality of geography was found out. It was very hard for these explorers to believe the Northwest passage didn't exist.

In other words, there was a kind of feedback loop of false information. Maps that were wrong made people perceive there was a Northwest Passage to China. Look at page 225 of your textbook to find out what a feedback loop looks like.

Questions
Answer each question in 3-5 sentences.

1. If the maps around you showed the existence of the Northwest Passage, would you believe it? Why?

2. If you were John Cabot and someone told you the Northwest Passage didn't exist. What would you say? What would you feel? How would you react?

3. Find a map by Humphrey Gilbert from 1582. What do you see in the picture? Explain.

4. Why did the Northwest Passage suit the goals (agenda) of the Eurpean explorers and monarchs?

5. Feedback loops help us to see reality as a system. Can you think of an example of a feedback loop from your own life? Look at page 225 of your textbook to help you.

6. What did you learn so far about explorers and the colonization of Canada?