reflecting-on-core-beliefs
Beliefs and bias are ideas or impressions that we form in our minds about ourselves, other people, and the world around us. They are influenced by our personal experiences, observations of others, stories we hear or read, and emotions we feel. They become automatic and unconscious over time, and they help us make sense of the world and interact with it quickly and efficiently. Our core beliefs tend to be formed in childhood and when we experience strong emotions such as traumatic or distressing experiences.
Beliefs and bias are not always accurate or helpful, and they may also be irrational or outdated. They may cause difficulties for us in certain situations, such as when we encounter new information, different perspectives, or conflicting evidence. Some examples of common beliefs and bias are “people are good/bad” or “us and them”. These are simple concepts that are not rationally evaluated but feel true to us because they fit our existing worldview. They may also serve as a way of protecting our self-worth and sense of self.
We need to bring our beliefs and bias into conscious awareness and evaluate them for their current usefulness.
We can do this by asking ourselves questions such as:
What are our core beliefs about ourselves, other people, and the world?
How did we form these beliefs?
How have they helped us in the past?
Do they cause difficulties for us now?
What might help us change them if needed?
By doing this, we can improve our critical thinking skills, reduce our prejudice and stereotypes, and increase our openness and empathy.
Practice identifying core beliefs.
