I was amazed when I saw this video clip in a recent newsletter from Anecdote.com. It illustrates clear example how we, as humans, strive to 'fill in the gaps' and make meaning of the world around us.

Take a look at the clip below, then read on.

So what did you see? Was there an argument? A bullying figure acting threatening towards two other characters? Some scared characters trying to hide in a building? Or was it simple a serious on geometrical shapes drawn on paper, animated over time?

This video clip was used in research carried out In 1944 by psychologists Fritz Heider and Marianne Simmel. There paper was published in The American Journal of Psychology. It was a simple idea. Make a film of geometric shapes moving about and then ask the subjects "... to write down what happened in the picture." ¹

If you interpreted it in the form of a story, you may begin to appreciate how we have a tendency to jump to conclusions. This process of ascribing meaning, has probably helped us to survive surprise attacks by predators, but nowadays can lead us to make assumptions that can have a massive negative impact.

Where in your life might you be ascribing meaning where there is none?