What phenomenon describes the belief that we see things as they truly are?

Naive realism is the phenomenon that describes the belief that we perceive the world around us exactly as it is, without any distortion or bias. This concept suggests that individuals assume that their perceptions, thoughts, and beliefs reflect the objective reality of the external world. In essence, naive realists believe that the way they see things is fundamentally aligned with how those things actually are, leading to a conviction that others who disagree must be misinformed, biased, or irrational.

This belief can significantly impact social perception and interpersonal relationships, as it can foster a lack of understanding and empathy towards those with differing perspectives. Recognizing the influence of naive realism can help individuals understand biases and subjective interpretations inherent in human cognition. Such awareness encourages open-mindedness and a more nuanced appreciation of diverse viewpoints.

Other terms like easy realism and positive realism do not accurately encapsulate this belief and may refer to different concepts in psychology. Subjective realism, on the other hand, emphasizes personal interpretation, which contrasts with the idea of naive realism, where the claim is that one's perception is the objective truth.