Deck 2: Lenses and Filters

Question 1

If you are working with a toddler who is new to child care, and you think of her as being 'smart" as you observe her knocking down the blocks you stack for her, does that image of the child as being competent make any difference?

Answer 1

No, we probably wouldn't see the same thing because we would be viewing this situation with our own set of lenses and filters. Our observations are value-laden due to our personalities, emotions, experiences, beliefs and so forth. For example, one person may think that it is a grandmother babysitting her granddaughter because the parent is working; whereas another person may see this as two generations choosing to spend time together. He or she might make a personal connection to his or her own family dynamics and may believe that elders should be seen as a source of wisdom. Our life experiences vary from person to person and consequently, so does the way we see and interpret relationships around us. What we believe about our world makes a big difference to what we see in it, or how we make sense of it. Consequently, our own personal history, culture, family and experiencers will influence what and how we perceive the lunch to represent.

Question 2

Why do you think that understanding your own culture and values impacts what and how you observe?

Answer 2

Based on your prior life experiences, family and cultural associations, you will naturally see events and people through a set of cultural lenses and filters. Consequently, you may judge people and situations differently than somebody from a different cultural group. It will impact our attitudes, what we observe, and what we consider to be important. It will also influence how we later interpret that information. Therefore, by understanding our own culture and values we begin to uncover the lenses we use and become more mindful of how it influences our perceptions.

Question 3

Think of examples of where two or more people see the same thing but make different meanings from it.

Answer 3

Any number of examples could be perceived differently, such as positively or negatively, depending on the observer's point of reference and previous experiences which have shaped his or her lenses and filters. Examples could include seeing a man sitting on a park bench wiping tears from his eyes - one person concludes he is crying, the other thinks he has allergies or something in his eye. In a public place two people are talking with raised voices. Are they arguing? Another example could be when two people witness a crime. What details are recalled or thought to be important after the incident? Another example could be two people walking together. One person may think they are family member or friends while another person may believe the two people are in a relationship and going on a date. What of a person standing at the bus stop? One viewer may interpret this situation as somebody that cannot afford a car while other person believes taking the bus was a positive choice to help the environment or to save money. What we see and the reasons behind it are based on our personal lenses and filters.

Question 4

Using a children's rights filter might ensure that you appreciate a child's cultural context.

Question 5

If you use more than one lens you can be completely objective.

Question 6

Subjectivity is always desirable.

Question 7

In order to become more skilled in the art of observation, we must learn to clean our lenses.

Question 8

The first lens people use in observation is their cultural lens.

Question 9

It is possible to train yourself so that observation skills become more refined and we can also shape our perceptual lenses and filters.

Question 10

Knowing ourselves can help us to determine how we go about observing others.

Question 11

It is important to recognize personal biases when observing and recording observational information.

Question 12

Everybody thinks they have a culture because they all see themselves as belonging to a cultural minority or a culture that has been labeled.

Question 13

It is acceptable to make judgments based on sensory information.

Question 14

Choosing to speak up when someone is being discriminated against is an example of being anti-biased.

Question 15

It is appropriate to teach another's faith to other people.

Question 16

The definition of lens

A) in the observational sense, is a guided viewpoint that may help reshape an observation
B) in the observational sense, is the view that helps counter bias
C) in the observational sense, is an abstract viewpoint that shapes what is observed and how it is understood
D) in the observational sense, is the best method to understand children's rights

Question 17

When observing children's race

A) it has been shown to influence a child's preferences during play
B) it is the second most important aspect of the observation
C) it can create the use of labels that divide people into "us" and "them"
D) it is easily defined

Question 18

Anti-bias can best be described as

A) active opposition to negative or inappropriate attitudes towards groups of people, practices, or things
B) being against behaviours that are subjective
C) sharing observations and insights
D) addressing generalizations that relate to culture, family or ethnicity

Question 19

The lens of personality

A) is easily changed
B) is connected to our preferences
C) is unaltered by self reflection
D) is objective

Question 20

The term ethnocentrism

A) is the centre of one's temperament
B) is a desirable characteristic, especially when working in any human services field
C) is the tendency to view people from a different cultural group as superior in status
D) is the belief that one's own ethnic group is superior to others

Question 21

A cultural lens

A) are a one way street
B) can be a source of understanding
C) is different for every individual
D) is something that not everyone has

Question 22

When an individual can identify his or her perspective, lenses, and personal filters, when involved in any part of the observation process, he or she is typically

A) an ECE student
B) a casual observer
C) a parent
D) a professional observer

Question 23

In Canada, children's rights should be

A) embedded in stories read to children during circle time
B) addressed through an ECE's job description while in the workplace
C) addressed only through posters that are displayed at the workplace
D) an embedded attitude rather than an added component of a philosophy

Question 24

Lenses and filters

A) have little to do with assumptions
B) have little effect on observations
C) are not affected by experiences
D) can become nonjudgmental through professional practice

Question 25

Vision can be described as

A) the first part of the perceptual process
B) the most important part of the perceptual process
C) the second part of the perceptual process
D) being more important than the brain's ability to process the information

Question 26

Why do you think that understanding your own culture and values impacts what and how you observe?

Question 27

Why should we move beyond the role of being a casual observer?

Question 28

How are observers' lenses shaped by what they know?

Question 29

What are some of the strengths and weaknesses due to the fact that humans are observing children?

Question 30

How could an educator's family influence what and how he or she observes?

Question 31

How does the lens of personality/temperamental style influence your interactions with others? (Include the five big factors in your response).

Question 32

What elements can a cultural lens include and why is it important?

Question 33

What are Urie Bronfenbrenner's five bio ecological systems? (Briefly describe each one).

Question 34

Why is it important to fix cracked lenses and filters? What are some strategies for fixing cracked lenses?

Question 35

What are the ramifications of having a lens of rights and freedoms for children?

Question 36

Prepare and present a visual representation of your lenses. You may choose to make a mind-map, a model, images, flowchart or another method. Write up a summary explaining what you have discovered about your lenses. Describe how you plan to use this new awareness of your lenses in your work.
Note: Review the assessment rubric for this task. It offers details that will help you prepare for the task and be successful as you carry it out.

Question 37

A child arrives at your centre dressed in clothing that you think represent a Top 10 singer on stage. The child is wearing jeans ripped on the bum, a sequined tank top, eye shadow and lipstick. The parent is proud of the outfit she has bought for her child and points it out to you upon arrival. You are aghast and struggle for something to say. You finally blurt out "That's definitely an interesting outfit". Reflect on the values that you and the parent hold. How do those values influence each of your actions?