In PSY 1001, we've recently learned about "inattentional blindness". Inattentional blindness occurs when our brain fails to recognize or perceive something that is in clear sight. Obviously, this is a necessary function for us to be able to focus. Without inattentional blindness, we would have a very small attention capacity--we would be distracted by lights, colors, sounds, and more. Watch THIS VIDEO to see an example of inattentional blindness. It is amazing how few people notice the man in the gorilla suit. However, when reflecting on a summer job, I wondered how much is inattentional blindness and how much is due to our frantic lifestyle.
This summer, I sold tickets at the Minnesota State Fair. As jobs go, it was very high-paced. We stood on a road, selling tickets out of a box around our waists. We had no cash register, no calculators; only our minds. Obviously, we sold hundreds of tickets to hundreds of people every day. The job quickly became a set routine: smile, greet the customer, ask how many tickets were needed, quickly do math, rip off the tickets, accept the money, do more math, get the change. I remember several experiences that seem to signify inattentional blindness. Sometimes, something would go wrong with the transaction, and we would need to be called back to the same car to fix something. When this happened, I could scarcely remember the people's faces or cars, much less what I had just sold them. This would happen literally within a minute of selling tickets to them. Secondly, a man commented that I had sold tickets to him earlier that day. I just fake-laughed and acted like I remembered, but I really didn't.
I know that much of this was probably simply inattentional blindness, due to an overload of information. However, I wonder how much of "inattentional blindness" could actually be attributed to a simple lack of attention and courtesy. Everyone deserves a look in the eye and a smile. And they deserve to be remembered within a span of a few minutes. I realized that too often I'm just like the people in the "gorilla video". I'm too focused on myself or my problems or the task at hand to look people in the eye, greet them, and remember their face. I am determined not to let "inattentional blindness" take over-- yes, we do need it, but just not in large doses! I don't think a gorilla will come through and buy a State Fair ticket, but if one does, I need to be ready!
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