Tunnel vision is considered an example of what type of distortion?

Tunnel vision is classified as a perceptual distortion because it specifically affects an individual's ability to perceive the wider environment and any stimuli beyond a narrow focus. This phenomenon often occurs in high-stress situations, leading individuals, such as law enforcement officers, to concentrate intensely on a specific threat or task while neglecting other crucial information around them.

Perceptual distortions generally relate to how we interpret and make sense of sensory information. In the case of tunnel vision, the brain filters out peripheral stimuli, which can be detrimental in critical situations where awareness of the broader context is necessary for effective decision-making.

While cognitive distortion refers to errors in thinking or reasoning, and emotional distortion involves how feelings can skew one's perception and judgment, tunnel vision specifically aligns with a limitation in one's perceptual abilities. Visual distortion, on the other hand, would imply an alteration in the actual visual input, rather than how that input is processed in terms of focus and awareness. Thus, the classification of tunnel vision as a perceptual distortion is appropriate given its implications for situational awareness and decision-making in stressful environments.