Which is more reliable - gut reaction or reflection?
September 5, 2014 6:50 PM   Subscribe

Which is more reliable in interpreting events - gut reaction or interpretation upon reflection? (interpersonal relationship edition)

Specifically, in interpersonal relationships (friends or romantic). Someone does X while you are with them. You feel Y at the time. Upon thinking it over for a while you start to think "well maybe this should be interpreted as Z".

Which is closer to the truth, in your opinion? Y or Z?

This question is intentionally vague, I know, but I think it's better this way.
posted by WinterSolstice to Human Relations (3 answers total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: Sorry this is so vague to be fairly unanswerable. -- mathowie

 
Go with your gut!
posted by amro at 6:53 PM on September 5, 2014


Honestly neither or somewhere in between. Perceptions will always differ, at least slightly, from "objective reality".
posted by fireandthud at 6:57 PM on September 5, 2014 [1 favorite]


Depends of course.

If you are upset and you realize that you were overreacting, or that there is a reasonable interpretation for X that isn't stretching, then Z.

If you are getting upset about the same kind of thing over and over, and you keep reaching for a new excuse every time, then Y.
posted by mattu at 7:05 PM on September 5, 2014


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