Blinkered Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Psychology

• Cognitive biases contribute to a blinkered mindset, as people tend to favor information that reinforces their existing beliefs.
• Psychological research shows that people can become blinkered in their decision-making, leading to flawed judgments in personal and professional contexts.

Pop Culture

• The concept of being blinkered is often portrayed in literature and film, where characters stubbornly cling to their views despite evidence to the contrary.
• Songs and poems frequently use the idea of being blinkered to represent characters stuck in a rut, unable to evolve.

Literature

• In George Orwell's '1984', characters exhibit blinkered thinking by accepting only the Party's version of reality, disregarding truth.
• Charles Dickens' characters often highlight blinkered views that lead to misunderstandings and tragic consequences in their narratives.

Education

• In educational settings, a blinkered approach can stifle student learning by emphasizing rote memorization over critical thinking.
• Teachers are encouraged to promote open discussions to combat blinkered attitudes among students, fostering a richer learning environment.

Main points about word origin

• The term originates from the early 20th century, describing horses wearing blinkers to limit their field of vision.
• In British English, 'blinkered' often describes someone who refuses to consider outside viewpoints, similar to how blinkered horses don't see what's beside them.

The term 'blinkered' comes from the noun 'blinker,' which was originally a term for a type of hood used on horses to prevent them from looking sideways at distractions. This device helped to keep horses focused on the path ahead, which is where the metaphorical usage of 'blinkered' comes into play. It began to be used figuratively in the 19th century to describe an individual who is not open to different opinions or ideas, leading to a restricted way of thinking. The word reflects an attitude of stubbornness and a lack of willingness to explore beyond one’s own established beliefs, encapsulating the idea of mental 'blinders' that limit one's view and understanding.

Ranking #35,478, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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