the effectiveness of habituation
- I have many cognitive biases which can often seem impossible to overcome.
- The particularly relevant examples I have in mind are:
- perfectionism
- social anxiety/fear of talking
- These both are of the general form of: let's avoid X type of situation because of an unsubstantiated fear in its consequences.
- perfectionism: let's avoid doing things that I won't do perfectly, because if I do something imperfectly, the earth is going to explode
- social anxiety: let's avoid talking in front of crowds, because I'm people are gonna think I'm stupid.
- And, in both cases, habituation (for which the job of the conscious brain is to plan and provide the activation energy to overcome our subconscious biases) can quickly teach us to toss the fear
- In particular, I'm thinking of the example of singing/auditioning for acapella. And also just speaking in front of many people.
- First audition, I was so terrified. I was shaking, and voice was wavering.
- But, I stuck through, I tried my best, and each time got so much better. Of course, my heart was still pounding and I was definitely overheating. But it just felt so much better. So much easier.
- Another example (I haven't tried this yet) is the recommendation in 212. The psychology of self doubt#^qjojp3 to fight perfectionism induced self doubt by purposely doing things imperfectly.
- [?] How can I do so? practicing imperfection to beat perfectionism
- In particular, I'm thinking of the example of singing/auditioning for acapella. And also just speaking in front of many people.
- related:: who we are is what we choose to be blind to
- habituation is in some ways a way to unblind ourselves to certain things; whereas perhaps we used to be blind to the possibilities of, say, giving speeches; by habituation, it seems much more possible.