Is making assumptions about people the same as judging them?

Asked By: Wurkoutgurl 36-40, F 2 months ago

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12 Answers to "Is making assumptions about people the same as judging them?"

Posted by Fazer Mar 11th, 2013 at 3:13PM

Not necessarily. I assume from your EP name that you are into fitness, enjoy working out, and perhaps even teach fitness. That's not a judgment though. Judgments are normally negative opinions formed on a questionable basis such as stereotypes. Now I'd better check your profile to see whether my assumption is right... ;-)

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Reply by Wurkoutgurl Mar 11th, 2013 at 3:26PM

I love working out, but don't teach it. You were almost right. =)
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Posted by BILLYMADISONJ Mar 11th, 2013 at 3:12PM

Billy do agree wit da cutie wurkoutgurl

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Posted by JHGordon Mar 12th, 2013 at 8:24AM

Yes, Wurkoutgurl, I understood your question. Yes we do make predictive assumption and judgements and we can't help it.

The reason we are naturally judgmental and form our more complex social reactions is based in the fundamentals of our survival mechanisms and our natural priorities. The primaries; food, shelter, and sex, go from fight or flight, or mating instinct, to more subtle matters of discernment, such as competition or cooperation. We seek what we know, and look for acceptable behavioral patterns in others compatible to our comfortable existence.

We make tens of thousands of decisions a day from the mundane of choosing which soap to wash some socks to the complexities of choosing a friendship/relationship. Our experience forms prejudices, preferences, and preconceived notions. We judge everything.

So yes, assumptions are the same as (pre) judgement based on your perceived past and your future expectations. It's how your brain works.

Philosophically, you can lament it, but just as you "can't judge a book by it's cover" it's still a book and you can enjoy or despise the surprise.

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Reply by Wurkoutgurl Mar 11th, 2013 at 3:38PM

Wow!! Thanks for all the detail! That was awesome. =)
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Reply by JHGordon Mar 11th, 2013 at 4:06PM

When you and a girlfriend check out a guys butt, you giggle, but you're not really "out floozin'" you're following natural instinct mating procedure. You're appraising (judging) characteristics that evoke excitement because of your drive to procreate and continue your genetic code. Pretty far from romantic fantasy and "talk dirty to me baby" but it's the real bottom line (the pun is intended). Humans have developed morality, taboos, laws, and social regulations. You're probably somewhere between 6 and 20 years past puberty I'd guess. As such, your "initial" pubescent awareness was a taboo in our society and our legal system. (You were no less horny but you didn't have all the info) Was taboo valid? Nature didn't think so. Now, you're socially adapted so you either treat your young adult hood as your fantasies desire, or you don't risk those instincts because of social or religious pressure. But if you could be somewhere, sometime, where you could let the real you out, who and what would you be then? Would one day of anonymity to allow the wanton in you out change you? It's worth contemplating for a lot of healthy reasons. For one, we tend to mate in our society with romance in mind (impelled by pheromones) and do a social dance instead of creating true (and honest) friendship with a potential mate. That is where the "real you" gets suppressed into a classic model of acceptability. But all those real you fantasies, never go away, and in the end, "he" or "she" "doesn't understand you" and you wind up in divorce court. And it's because almost nobody is honest in the first place. As someone who enjoyed times less restrictive when it comes to sex (and judgement based on bullshit) it was a lot more fun and people got to be themselves (more but not completely). Society has regressed generations. In Europe they laugh at how uptight we are about sexual honesty. Because they know, Regular dinners and some nice digs, make one plus one into three in a hurry Other than that. you can judge for yourself. Because you are always judging. Life is a tough decision. Nah, just kidding.
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Posted by starofeye Mar 12th, 2013 at 2:02AM

No and yes.
If I assume you are tall, its not judging
If you say you don't like spinach, and I assume you are a non-vegeterian....I am judging..

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Reply by Wurkoutgurl Mar 12th, 2013 at 7:12AM

haha, good point. And...just so you know...i'm not tall and I do like spinach in a salad, a chicken salad that is!! ;-)
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Posted by gargamel68 Mar 11th, 2013 at 3:27PM

No, you "Judge" some-one according to their actions. Making 'assumptions is totally different. For instance "EVERY SINGLE LAST TERRRORIST HAS BEEN MUSLIM", Not one has been a Christian or a Jew. Therefore if I look at you, and judge you based on previous knowledge ( experience ) I am acting on 'good' faith, I am not 'judgeing' you. If we hadn't lived and acted on 'experience' for the past ten, twenty thousand years none of us would be here to ask or answer stupid questions.

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Reply by Wurkoutgurl Mar 12th, 2013 at 7:15AM

Sorry you felt my question to be so stupid....you didn't have to answer it, ya know...
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Posted by ravin800624 Mar 11th, 2013 at 3:19PM

sure

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Posted by SurfStyle Mar 11th, 2013 at 3:08PM

I would think so, its like judging a book by its cover.

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Reply by Wurkoutgurl Mar 11th, 2013 at 4:07PM

very true
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Reply by SurfStyle Mar 11th, 2013 at 4:16PM

When im off work, you'd never know I was fireman who wears a pressed uniform to work. Most of the time I have earrings and wear Harley Davidson, billy badass biker stuff.
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Posted by hertoy Mar 11th, 2013 at 3:08PM

I would say so...

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Reply by Wurkoutgurl Mar 11th, 2013 at 4:15PM

thanks
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Posted by tonyt53 Mar 11th, 2013 at 3:07PM

Close, but no. When you make an assumption, that is all it is. When you judge them, you have just decided their deserved fate - either real or imagined.

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Reply by Wurkoutgurl Mar 11th, 2013 at 4:15PM

good reply, thanks
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Posted by leftvan Mar 11th, 2013 at 3:07PM

Yes!

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Reply by Wurkoutgurl Mar 11th, 2013 at 4:15PM

okay, thanks
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Posted by cpgnatly Mar 11th, 2013 at 3:06PM

Judgment implies conclusion while assumption is a running guess.

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Reply by Wurkoutgurl Mar 11th, 2013 at 4:16PM

great answer, thank you
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Posted by angelicsmiles Mar 11th, 2013 at 3:05PM

Yes.

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Reply by Wurkoutgurl Mar 11th, 2013 at 4:16PM

thanks =)
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