How Our Perception Shapes Our Reality

Imagine a group of blind individuals being led to an elephant. Each one touches only a single part of the animal — the leg, the trunk, the ear, or the tail — and forms an idea of what an elephant is based on this limited impression. The one who touches the leg believes the elephant is like a tree trunk. The one who feels the trunk is convinced that an elephant is like a long, flexible hose. And so on.

Each of them holds a different, fragmented idea — and yet, they are all convinced that their perception is the truth. But the reality of the elephant is far more complex than any one of them can comprehend — their perspectives are merely parts of a much greater whole.

This story originates from Indian philosophy and is often used to illustrate how people perceive the world through their limited perspectives. It's a powerful metaphor that not only plays a role in spiritual and philosophical traditions but also offers deep insights in psychology. As someone who enjoys building bridges between philosophical and psychological topics, I find this parable a wonderful entry point into the psychological concepts of private logic and biased apperception, as described by Alfred Adler.

In Adler’s psychology, private logic refers to the individual system of beliefs and assumptions each of us develops to understand and navigate the world. This private logic often forms in childhood and is shaped by our experiences, relationships, and the way we interpret the world. It helps us make sense of life — but it can also lead to distorted perceptions of reality, trapping us in rigid patterns of thought and behavior.

What does this mean for us?

Just like the blind individuals who perceive only one part of the elephant, we too often see only part of the truth. We interpret situations through our own lens and believe that our interpretation is the whole truth. This tendency to filter the world through our subjective viewpoint is what Adler calls biased apperception. It means we selectively notice information that confirms our existing beliefs and experiences, while we tend to ignore or distort information that challenges them.

Biased apperception strongly influences how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. It often causes us to live within a narrow frame of perception, without realizing there’s a broader, more comprehensive truth. This filter not only distorts our interpretation of reality but also affects our reactions, decisions, and behaviors.

An example:Imagine you often felt overlooked or ignored as a child. This experience might lead you, as an adult, to feel invisible in social or professional settings — like you don’t receive the recognition you deserve. This perception is a direct result of your private logic: the belief that you are not seen. Even when reality offers different signals, your perception and behavior continue to be influenced by this inner belief.

How private logic influences our reality

Private logic is the “inner program” we carry within us that guides our perception, decisions, and behavior. It often operates unconsciously in the background and shapes how we respond to situations. In Adler’s theory, this private logic isn’t necessarily rational or beneficial to our well-being. It can be shaped by early experiences, misunderstandings, and unhelpful assumptions.

When we become aware of our private logic, we can start to question it and recognize how it distorts our perception of reality. Often, we aren’t even aware of these thinking patterns — yet they influence our behavior in unhelpful ways. The first step toward change is reflection: we must ask ourselves, What do I really believe about myself and the world? Why do I react the way I do in certain situations?

The path to change: Conscious reflection and mindfulness

The good news is that we have the power to rethink and change our private logic. The key lies in conscious reflection and developing an open mindset. When we begin to observe and question our thought patterns, we can identify distorted perceptions and adopt alternative perspectives. That’s the first step toward reshaping our private logic so it no longer traps us in false beliefs and unhelpful behaviors.

A powerful tool to support this change is mindfulness. Mindfulness helps us stay present in the moment and observe our thoughts without judgment. By learning to step back from our automatic thinking patterns, we can expand our perception of the “elephant” and develop a more complete view of reality.

Expanding our perception

The story of the blind people and the elephant reminds us that our perception never reflects the full truth. We see the world through our own — often limited — lens. But when we consciously engage with our private logic and biased apperceptions, we can expand our perception and begin to see the world in its full depth.

By learning to reflect on our thought patterns and question our filters, we gain a clearer picture of reality and can make decisions that lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life. Ultimately, it’s about broadening our perspective — just like the blind individuals could expand their understanding of the elephant if they had the chance to experience more of it.

Each of them has a different, fragmented idea of what the elephant is — and yet, they are all convinced that their perception is the truth. But the reality of the elephant is far more complex than any one of them can grasp; their perspectives are only parts of a much greater whole.