Webassingment 2: A self reflection
Show that you understand Peck's concept of Maps and Transference-what is example of maps/transference in your own life?
M.Scott Peck, a psychiatrist and author famous for his book The Road Less Traveled, developed the concept of "maps" and the idea of "transference", something that applies to every human life and has had a great affect on the way I view my past experiences and the way I try to shape my future.
Peck's idea of maps is this: every person has a map which they use to navigate through life. Just as the map of a ship affects the ship's course and destination, our maps affect our lives and our destinations. If the map is accurate, we will end up at our destination. If it is inaccurate or false, we will be lost in life. We forge our maps based on our past experiences, be they good or bad. If, for example, a child's parents got divorced when he was young, that would have a profound affect on his map, and could affect him for better or worse. Peck's idea really takes hold when he begins to discuss transference. Scott's definition of transference is the set of ways of perceiving and responding to the world which is developed in childhood and which is usually entirely appropriate to the childhood environment but which is inappropriatley transferred into the adult environment. A simpler explanation of it is this: transference occurs when someone uses their map, based off a past experience, in a new world or environment in which the map will not work. Scott gave a real life example of transference told in the story of one of his patients. The patient made a map in childhood based on all the lets downs and dissapointments he experienced because of his parents. As an adult, he applied this map of mistrust to his job and marriage; as a result, both of them failed. The only way to overcome transference is to be constantly willing and able to revise your maps. Though the revisions may be hard and painful, it is the only way to get the best out of life and live true reality.
An example of transference in my own life came about last year, at the end of the cross country season. Tired with the season and frustrated with my results, I made up my mind that this season would be my last. I stuck with that promise; as a result I did not run cross country this year. That is not necessarily a bad thing, because I have been able to spend my time doing other things, such as playing guitar, which I love and find extremely rewarding. However, though not running, I continued eating like a cross country runner all last winter and spring. When I was an active runner, I needed to eat at least 4000 calories a day. I had made a map about how much to eat based on my two previous years of vigorous exercise. When I stopped running religiously ( I still ran, just not as disciplined), I kept using my old map and gained weight as a result. Recently this fall I faced the painful process of revising my map and have begun to exercise more and eat less. It has been hard, both mentally (willpower) and physical (being hungry), but my new map will help me live a better life in the long run.
Source:Oxford Maps
Source:Noord Nederlandsche Boekhandel
Sources
Source:The Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck
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