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Perception:

What you see is what you get

The Perception Process


4 Steps:

Selection
Organization
Interpretation
Negotiation

Selection
Factors that cause us to notice some things and ignore

others:

intensity
repetition
contrast or change
motives
ignoring other cues

Organization
We classify people using perceptual schema based on:

appearance
social roles
interaction style
psychological traits
membership

Organization Cont.
Stereotyping

Try to:

the result of generalizing

avoid excessive

may have kernel of truth

but usually not valid

isolated behaviors that

support inaccurate
beliefs

stereotyping by
decategorizing others.

treat others as

individuals

rearrange schemes

Organization Cont.
Punctuation

Try to:

the determination of

avoid arguing over

causes and effects in a


series of interactions

same event can be

punctuated in different
ways

punctuation

ask What can we do to

make things better?

Interpretation
Factors that cause us to interpret on way or another:

degree of involvement with the other person


personal experience
assumptions about human behavior
attitudes
expectations
knowledge
self-concept
relational satisfaction

Negotiation
An exchange of stories (narratives)

Shared narratives = smooth comm


Dont have to be accurate to be powerful

Influences on Perception
Access to information Cultural differences
Physiological

influences
the senses
psychological challenges
age
health & fatigue
hunger
biological cycles

Social Roles

gender roles
occupational roles
relational roles

Common Tendencies in Perception


We judge ourselves more charitably than we judge

others (93)

We cling to first impressions (94)


We assume that others are similar to us (94)
We are influenced by our expectations (95)
We are influenced by the obvious (96)

1. Explain the common tendency.


2. What are the positive or negative aspects of the

common tendency, if any?

3. Describe instances in which you committed this

common tendency. What was the consequence?

Perception Checking
1. Describe the observed behavior.
2. Provide 2 possible interpretations.
3. Request for clarification.
When you walked out of the room without saying goodbye

(describe) I didnt know if you were mad at me or if you were


in a hurry and forgot (2 interpretations). What was up?
(request)

You havent called in a few days (describe). Im not sure

whether youre upset with me or youve been busy (2


interpretations). Whats going on? (request)

Try it!
Skill Builder page 100

Perception Checking Considerations


Completeness

not all parts are needed

Nonverbal congruency

nonverbal behavior should reflect words

Cultural rules

low-context vs. high-context cultures

*Face-saving

Empathy
Empathy - ability to recreate another persons

perspective
perspective taking
emotional dimension
genuine concern

Sympathy - viewing another persons situation from

your own point of view.

Cognitive Complexity
The ability to construct a variety of

frameworks for viewing an issue.

The
Pillow
Method

Figure 3.3

Perception Journal
Option 1: Perception Checking (pg. 96-100)
Option 2: Pillow Method (pg. 102-108)
Assignment Criteria:

1.Provide background/context
2.Complete the task
3.Explain the outcome. Do you notice any
change in how you feel about the other
person?

2-3 pages typed


Due next Monday 10/12

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