Now that I’ve seen you, I can’t unsee you

Possible reasons why people have difficulty seeing the change in someone else:

Familiarity bias: People often have preconceived notions or mental images of others based on past experiences and interactions. These preconceptions can create a cognitive bias that makes it difficult to perceive changes in someone's behavior or character.

Limited perspective: If someone has limited interactions or limited exposure to the person in question, they may not have enough information to notice significant changes. For example, if someone only sees a friend occasionally or hears about them through second-hand information, they may not be able to detect subtle or gradual changes.

Confirmation bias: People tend to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs or expectations. If someone has a fixed perception of another person, they may unconsciously ignore or downplay evidence that contradicts their beliefs, making it difficult for them to see the changes that have occurred.

Emotional attachment: Strong emotional connections can cloud judgment and make it harder to recognize changes. When someone has a close relationship with another person, they may be more inclined to perceive them based on past memories or emotional associations rather than objectively evaluating their current behavior.

Lack of attention or awareness: People may not pay close attention to others or be aware of the subtle cues that indicate change. In a busy or distracted state, individuals may overlook behavioral shifts or fail to notice the differences that have occurred over time