Currently, interdisciplinary research efforts have intensified across the globe. Consequently, various concepts have found application in different fields of study. One such concept is the blind spot. A blind spot, also known as punctum caecum in medicine, is a small section of the visual field that does not have the light - detecting photoreceptor cells on the optic disc of the retina where the optic nerve passes through the optic disc. The absence of the se cells in the visual field implies that images cannot form in this area. Basing his view on the same analogy, Egan (2014) defines blind spots as the things that humans fail to see or decide to ignore, which keep us from managing problematic situations, as well as recognizing and developing opportunities. He also argues that they are an integral component of the human condition. Thus, a blind spot in human psychology can also be viewed as a form a dysfunctional thinking in which the affected persons fail to realize the degree to which certain emotional expressions lead them into misery. Despite knowledge of the repercussions, such people choose to maintain their mentalit y and thinking patterns. As a result, they end up being victims of the foreseen trouble . Against this backdrop, this essay is aimed at expounding on blind spots, their source, and their effects. Having been a victim of blind spots , the essay will also present my experience and their effects on me. Lastly, the paper will share details about how I addressed a colleague’s blind spot.
Escapism has been cited by Egan (2014) as the leading cause of blind spots. In this case, the human mind casts a blind eye on certain truths w hen it chooses not to confront them. I f possible , it also opts to takes a contrary direction with regard to the matter at hand. Egan (2014) further argues that people tend to ignore their knowledge of certain issues, and intentionally make the wrong decisions so as to avoid confronting the reality. In such situations, the culprits pretend that they are unaware of the facts. As a result, these people ignor e the truthful manifestations of situations so as to achieve a particular piece of mind . This is also aimed at ensuring that they are less involved. Therefore, people with blind spots can always point to a time when they ignore d certain facts and ended up suffering the consequences.
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Blind spots have multiple effects on an individual’s mind as well as his or her interaction with other people in society. T he most dominant effect of blind spots on a person is that they make the affected people mis erable . Egan (2014) explain s that nothing causes more trauma to the conscience tha n intentional misery. T his implies that people with blind spots knowingly commit to certain situation s or take up decisions whose consequences are negative. In such a scenario , the victim does not only suffer regrets but also misery . This is because before making the chosen decision, there were various alternatives , which were intentionally ignored . Blind spots also break relationships. In this case, the affected persons do not consider the consequences of their thoughts, actions or utterances on other members of the society. As emphasized by Egan (2014), people with blind spots act in a manner likely to suggest that they have no human conscience in them. F ailure to understand such people might easily lead to conclu ding that they are sadistic. Similarly, the fact that very few individuals in the society understand the various psychological interpretations of huma n behavior further points towards higher chances of misunderstanding blind sports.
I also confirm that I have noticed blind spots in myself. During my teenage years, I got involved in a bad company. Although I knew the repercussions of this, I reckoned that was still young, and thus was allowed to misbehave. As a result, I was involved in various mischievous activities, including shoplifting and skipping classes. This was until I got arrested for stealing liquor in the neighborhood store. Having been warned by my parents severally, I felt guilty for not heading to their advice. Likewise, the blind spot had affected my grades in school and I was on the verge of being expelled. S ince I had already made a mistake, I could not hide the guilt in my conscience. Thus, I had to apologize to my parents as well as the owners of the liquor store.
I have also noticed blind spots in some of my colleagues. I work with people who suffer from blindness . One such colleague is f ond of offering himself up for responsibilities that require healthy eyesight. In the process of undertaking such tasks, there are numerous mistakes in his work. In this scenario , the blind colleague has a blind spot. Despite the knowledge of his impaired vision, he is continuously undertaking tasks that require normal eyesight while he is aware that he can’t sufficiently handle the tasks. I sought to establish the reason behind this, and he told me that he chose to go for such tasks to avoid being called a blind man, and thus despised. To address this, I encouraged him to accept his condition, and embrace tasks that could be supported by his capabilities so as to gain self-confidence. I also asked him to consider the repercussions of his actions, in which case all his tasks had to be redone by the entire team. Consequently, he obliged and this has led to increased productivity of the team. Moreover, he is more comfortable with his condition.
Blind spots are not permanent dysfunctions but rather temporal states of the mind. The most effective strategy that can be used by a counselor working with a client’s blind spots is to teach the client to embrace the unused resources , a nd subsequently engage them so as to initiate self-change. For instance, escapism might be due to failure to identify and use certain personal capabilities. Doing this marks the initial step towards transforming blind spots into stepping stones for new and meaningful perspectives. T hus , c ounselors should help clients in not only identif ying their blind spots but should also guide them in shifting their perceptions so as to overcome the blind spots .
Reference
Egan, G. (2014). The skilled helper: A problem-management and opportunity-development approach to helping . Cengage Learning.
