Tunnel Vision

Tunnel vision also referred to as visual perceptual narrowing, is a process that occurs when one is visually aware only of central visual information, while simultaneously ignoring or being unaware of information located in the peripheral field of vision (Edward & Godnig, 2003 ). Tunnel vision is also when one views a certain environment or situation, with a narrow view. It is a situation whereby one has a high attention on a particular stimulus but on the other side ignores other important stimulus.

In terms of the tunnel vision under culture perspective, it is defined as when a training student or therapist walks into therapy, they only come in only having knowledge on their own culture, which leads to cultural tunnel vision, which is a perception of realty based on very limited set of cultural experiences. This may be a disadvantage as they may influence their own values on their clients since they may think that everyone shares the same cultural norms or values. The other disadvantage maybe that the clients may not respond to therapy as it is on with a different cultural perspective. One of the researchers discovered that this tunnel vision has always been there, racism has always been present in mental health delivery systems for quite some time, stated that in the studies from 1950s to the present have been documented enduring patterns of racism in mental health care deliveries systems (Ridley, 2005).  

The cultural encapsulated counsellor exhibits tunnel vision, which is characterised by five basic indentifying features of culture encapsulation described by Wrenn (1962, 1985). First, reality is defined according to one set of cultural assumptions. Second, people become insensitive to cultural variations among individuals and assume their own view is the only right one. Third, assumptions are not dependent on reasonable proof or rational consistency but are believed true, regardless of evidence to the contrary. Fourth, solutions are sought in technique-oriented strategies and quick or simple remedies. Fifth, everyone is judged from the viewpoint of one’s self-reference criteria without regard for the other person’s separate cultural context.