chapter 2 perception

Communicating in the Workplace, First Edition

© 2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.All rights reserved

Chapter 2:

Perception

Cheesebro, O’Connor, Rios: Communicating in the Workplace, 1e. © 2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.All rights reserved

Perception is Important

Differences in perception are widespread Not all differences are of equal importance Not everyone’s perceptions have equal status What does perception have to do with

communication? You communicate your perceptions through language You use your perceptual filters to interpret others’ messages Your communication shapes your perceptions of others


Perception Defined

Perception: the way in which an individual gives meaning to an object, messages or event Perception is a process

Objective reality: the actual object, message or event You filter this through:

Past experiences Prior knowledge Psychological state


Perception Defined

Subjective reality: Result of filtering Everyone interprets reality differently No two people have the exact same

reality You need to communicate your reality to

others in a way they understand You need to be open to listening Goal is shared understanding


A Perception Model

Prior Knowledge Knowledge base you’ve developed over

years of experience and education Critical to making sense of what you see

and hear

Prior Experiences Use to help you make sense of your world


A Perception Model

Psychological state Identity: your sense of self as a unique individual You interact in relationship to the way you define

yourself Ex. Men & women, wealthy & poor, young &

elderly Identity includes personality traits Based on external traits: marital status, job, etc. Identity can impact your values and worldviews


A Perception Model Values reflect what you see as good/bad,

right/wrong World views are group-related value

orientations Self-concept: how you view yourself Emotional state: additional filter (ex.

Anxiety) Physical variables: health, location,

weakened senses


A Perception Model

Prior Knowledge

Prior Experiences

Psychological State

Perceptual Processes (including selective attention, projection, stereotyping, halo effect, attributions, etc.)

= Subjective Reality


A Perception Model

Selective attention We are bombarded by so many messages Impossible to pay attention to them all You make decisions to pay attention to

some more than others We pay attention to message that are:

Thrust at us (ex. Loud noises, dazzling colors, pungent smells)

Interesting to us Related to us specifically (ex. Name)


A Perception Model

Self-fulfilling prophecy Role expectations play in your perceptions You see what you want/expect to see People tend to live up to expectations of

significant others Positive or negative

Stereotype threat: negative cultural stereotypes about a group can create a belief in the stereotypes among members


A Perception Model

Halo Effect, Attribution Error and Projection Halo effect: occurs when you make

assumptions based upon limited information Positive or negative

Attribution error: attempt to attribute causes of events to either personalities or external situations

Projection: tendency to see your own faults (or strengths) in others and point out those traits


A Perception Model Concepts to minimize communication

breakdowns resulting from perceptual differences Recognize the distinction between objective

and subjective reality Your differences in perception are rooted in

individual differences How you look at differences matter Communication is a central skill in the

perception process


Sharpening Your Perceptions

Facts/opinion confusion Statements of fact:

Are based on observable sensory data

Are only about the past or present, never the future

Are objective and free from interpretations, conclusions or assumptions about what has been observed


Sharpening Your Perception Statements of opinion:

Go beyond what has been observed

Are about the past, present or future

Include interpretations, conclusions or assumptions about what has been observed and are subjective

State your opinions by using an “I” message “I think,” “To me,” “From my point of view”


Sharpening Your Perception

Checking Perceptions Responses to someone’s verbal/nonverbal

communication They share an impression of the person’s

message Open-minded, non-evaluative statements

that invite a response Help to verify assumptions or opinions Provide a way to confirm what you are

thinking



How to phrase a clear perception check: State your perception of another person’s

behavior Present the perception in an open-minded or

tentative way “I may be wrong,” “It seems”

Express your perception in a non-evaluative way

Invite a response Short question Rising inflection



Learning conversations Process for learning about the perceptions

of others Debates: attempt to win, convince the other

person you are right Dialogue: goal is to understand, not win and

requires a curiosity of others


Sharpening Your Perception Content messages: describe facts about

what happen, often include assumptions

Feeling messages: how someone feels, most likely expressed in body language

Identity messages: how people see themselves and how they are affected


Sharpening Your Perception Purpose of learning conversations:

Understanding another person’s point of view

Sharing your point of view

Understanding/sharing feelings

Working together to resolve a problem

Move from “convincing” other person to cultivating “curiosity” about others’ views



Phases of learning conversations Invite the person to share his/her

different point of view Share the differing points of view

Ask for information about his/her experiences Paraphrase the speaker’s message Focus on learning, not winning

Problem solving


Perception and Technology

New technology allows people to change and shape reality

Be critical of what you see and hear Call for media literacy awareness

Media constructs messages to broadcast Messages use creative language with specific rules Messages are understood differently by different

people Decision-makers have their own points of view Goal is usually more money and/or power


Perception and Technology

5 Questions for Critical Media Viewing Who created this message? What creative techniques were used to

attract my attention? How might other people understand this

message differently than I? What values, lifestyles, and points of

view are being represented in, or omitted from, this message?

Why is this message being sent?

chapter 2 perception

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