perception and the self

Perception and The SelfPerception and The Self

Comm 225Comm 225

IntroIntro

mastering perception is key to mastering perception is key to human relations human relations

requires awareness of physical and requires awareness of physical and social social

How do we perceive?How do we perceive?

-->gather info--->experience-->give -->gather info--->experience-->give meaning, attribute motives, meaning, attribute motives, intentions--> form impression--intentions--> form impression-->learn about self, others, world >learn about self, others, world

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF PERSONAL & SOCIAL PERSONAL & SOCIAL

REALITYREALITY Perception of self and others is active Perception of self and others is active experience of reality is a experience of reality is a

Construction not a recording Construction not a recording Your mind constructs from own Your mind constructs from own

sourcesource Perception is an active process that Perception is an active process that

involves CATEGORIES involves CATEGORIES

CATEGORIESCATEGORIES

concepts, mental structures concepts, mental structures when looking at fuzzy concept mind's when looking at fuzzy concept mind's

eye tries to arrange a fit into our own eye tries to arrange a fit into our own knowledge box knowledge box

categories are largely a product of categories are largely a product of socialization socialization

CATEGORIESCATEGORIES

some categories are innate ( space, some categories are innate ( space, time, number causality)time, number causality)

most categories handed down by family, most categories handed down by family, culture, friends, social institutions culture, friends, social institutions

we see what we are conditioned to see we see what we are conditioned to see no 2 people have identical perceptual no 2 people have identical perceptual

categories categories

What are perceptions What are perceptions influenced by?influenced by?

Individual's Unique Perceptual Filter : Individual's Unique Perceptual Filter : VALUESVALUES NEEDSNEEDS GOALSGOALS INTERESTSINTERESTS BELIEFSBELIEFS ATTITUDESATTITUDES EXPECTATIONSEXPECTATIONS WANTSWANTS KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE FEELINGSFEELINGS LANGUAGESLANGUAGES EDUCATIONEDUCATION

PERCEPTIONPERCEPTION

= SELECTING, ORGANIZING & = SELECTING, ORGANIZING & INTERPRETINGINTERPRETING

SELECTINGSELECTING

our mind limits what we attend to our mind limits what we attend to we tend to choose sensory data /message we tend to choose sensory data /message

that we agree with or which is meaningful that we agree with or which is meaningful register positive comment of those we like, register positive comment of those we like,

negative of those we don't like ---rest--> negative of those we don't like ---rest--> don't notice don't notice

personal history determines personal history determines if your focus growing up was on being if your focus growing up was on being

hardworking-- you notice that hardworking-- you notice that if appearance was focus--you focus on that if appearance was focus--you focus on that

ORGANIZING --TYPESORGANIZING --TYPES

1. Enlarging1. Enlarging- put words or experiences - put words or experiences into larger context to understand -look for into larger context to understand -look for frame of reference to make sense e.g. frame of reference to make sense e.g. ambiguous comment-look to nonverbal , ambiguous comment-look to nonverbal , tone, what previously said, mood tone, what previously said, mood

2. Simplifying2. Simplifying- take notes, summarize - take notes, summarize 3. Closing/closure3. Closing/closure- fill in gaps e.g. 3 - fill in gaps e.g. 3

dots-->triangle dots-->triangle

INTERPRETINGINTERPRETING

-give meaning to information--> -give meaning to information--> evaluate, conclude -respond evaluate, conclude -respond appropriately and predict future appropriately and predict future

Identification & Evaluation e.g. loud Identification & Evaluation e.g. loud noise at night ---decide right/wrong noise at night ---decide right/wrong

HOW I SEE THE WORLD IS HOW I SEE THE WORLD IS MY RESPONSIBILITYMY RESPONSIBILITY

If perception is constructive we are If perception is constructive we are responsible for construction responsible for construction

others may have influenced us but as adult others may have influenced us but as adult we can change (learn, experience, choice) we can change (learn, experience, choice)

we can modify or reject categories If we we can modify or reject categories If we don't like what we see in "self" this affects don't like what we see in "self" this affects SELF-ESTEEM, WORLD VIEW, SELF-ESTEEM, WORLD VIEW, COMMUNICATION --MESSAGE AND COMMUNICATION --MESSAGE AND RESPONSERESPONSE

COMMON PERCEPTUAL COMMON PERCEPTUAL ERRORS THAT DISTORT ERRORS THAT DISTORT VISION/INTERACTIONVISION/INTERACTION

1. Stereotype1. Stereotype individual is as unique as fingerprint individual is as unique as fingerprint lumping together leads to incorrect judgment lumping together leads to incorrect judgment E.g."men lack feelings" "feminist hates men" E.g."men lack feelings" "feminist hates men"

" Canadians eat bacon" " Canadians eat bacon" stereotype damages personal relationships stereotype damages personal relationships

function of stereotype-to simplify information function of stereotype-to simplify information selectivity-- we look for information to selectivity-- we look for information to

confirm stereotype confirm stereotype


Self-fulfilling ProphecySelf-fulfilling Prophecy "prophecy is oftentimes the cause of "prophecy is oftentimes the cause of

events foretold" events foretold" you predict then behave as if true you predict then behave as if true eg. people don't like me--then act that eg. people don't like me--then act that

way way can be positive self-fulfilling for +ve can be positive self-fulfilling for +ve

effect effect


Halo-effectHalo-effect form a general impression based on 1 form a general impression based on 1

aspect aspect eg. John is energetic, eager and eg. John is energetic, eager and

(intelligent, unintelligent) (intelligent, unintelligent) you may see qualities that aren't there you may see qualities that aren't there

may ignore bad may ignore bad are you witnessing your assumption or are you witnessing your assumption or

reality? reality? also reverse halo also reverse halo


Attribution Error Attribution Error Do we attribute things to internal or external cause Do we attribute things to internal or external cause Internal Bad mood--> explosive behavior Internal Bad mood--> explosive behavior external previous event--> explosive behavior external previous event--> explosive behavior Internal (traits, abilities, feelings) Internal (traits, abilities, feelings) External (situation, environment) Actor/observer External (situation, environment) Actor/observer

differencedifference exam failed actor-external ---> noise in room, bad test exam failed actor-external ---> noise in room, bad test observer-internal--> poor study skill, not smart observer-internal--> poor study skill, not smart exam passed ---actor-internal observer--external exam passed ---actor-internal observer--external Be careful of self-serving bias Be careful of self-serving bias


ProximityProximity physical/psychological closeness physical/psychological closeness from distance person may appear from distance person may appear

beautiful but closer not beautiful but closer not if attitude close to own better if attitude close to own better In a Movie -photographer notices lighting, In a Movie -photographer notices lighting,

angle in but a movie actor may notice angle in but a movie actor may notice acting acting

we bring our own mind set we bring our own mind set


Role DefinitionRole Definition "all the world's a stage and we are "all the world's a stage and we are

merely players" merely players" we have many roles: student, teacher, we have many roles: student, teacher,

wife, husband, brother, sister, friend wife, husband, brother, sister, friend roles affect needs, attitudes, roles affect needs, attitudes,

expectations, beliefs expectations, beliefs Aggressive male--> self-willed Aggressive male--> self-willed

Aggressive female--> domineering, B Aggressive female--> domineering, B

HOW TO AVOID HOW TO AVOID PERCEPTUAL ERRORSPERCEPTUAL ERRORS

1. AVOID HASTY CONCLUSIONS 1. AVOID HASTY CONCLUSIONS 2. TAKE MORE TIME PATIENCE 2. TAKE MORE TIME PATIENCE 3. BE AVAILABLE--LISTEN--SEE OTHER VIEW3. BE AVAILABLE--LISTEN--SEE OTHER VIEW 4. COMMIT SELF-SEEK INFO BEFORE 4. COMMIT SELF-SEEK INFO BEFORE

JUDGMENT JUDGMENT 5. CREATE PROPER CLIMATE - IS IT OK TO 5. CREATE PROPER CLIMATE - IS IT OK TO

SAY SAY 6. MAKE ADJUSTMENTS - BE PREPARED TO 6. MAKE ADJUSTMENTS - BE PREPARED TO

CHANGE CHANGE

SELF CONCEPTSELF CONCEPT

poor self concept--> you are worst poor self concept--> you are worst enemy enemy undesirable, unattractive--> becomes undesirable, unattractive--> becomes

true true are we one self or many? ---private, are we one self or many? ---private,

social, ideal social, ideal what do you tell people about yourself?--what do you tell people about yourself?--

that is what they will know - that is what they will know - self awareness self awareness

JOHARI WINDOWJOHARI WINDOW

KNOWN TO SELFKNOWN TO SELF NOT KNOWN TO SELFNOT KNOWN TO SELF KNOWN TO OTHERSKNOWN TO OTHERS OPEN SELFOPEN SELF BLIND SELFBLIND SELF NOT KNOWN TO OTHERSNOT KNOWN TO OTHERS HIDDEN SELFHIDDEN SELF UNKNOWN SELFUNKNOWN SELF

HOW TO INCREASE SELF HOW TO INCREASE SELF AWARENESSAWARENESS

1. Adopt the perspective of others-see self through 1. Adopt the perspective of others-see self through others eyes others eyes

2. Create a list of your attitudinal, behavioral and 2. Create a list of your attitudinal, behavioral and perceptual tendencies perceptual tendencies

How do you orient to people? What do you look for How do you orient to people? What do you look for when perceiving them? How do you act as a result? when perceiving them? How do you act as a result?

3. Pay close attention to others with whom you 3. Pay close attention to others with whom you interact-they serve as mirror to self-look for interact-they serve as mirror to self-look for verbal/non verbal clues that may provide insight to verbal/non verbal clues that may provide insight to self self

4. Increase openness to others -size of blind self 4. Increase openness to others -size of blind self can be reduced if you allow others to know you can be reduced if you allow others to know you better -listen to what others say about you--aware better -listen to what others say about you--aware

SELF DISCLOSURE RISKS SELF DISCLOSURE RISKS /BENEFITS/BENEFITS

self-disclosure=intentional act of revealing self-disclosure=intentional act of revealing information about self to others-something information about self to others-something new not known -information may be new not known -information may be significant/trivial significant/trivial some self disclosure may be some self disclosure may be

unconscious/unintentional (non verbal--true unconscious/unintentional (non verbal--true feelings-body language -tone feelings-body language -tone

best self disclosure is under personal control best self disclosure is under personal control self disclosure is not indiscriminate frankness self disclosure is not indiscriminate frankness it's sharing self in way that respects others it's sharing self in way that respects others

feelings rights sensitivities feelings rights sensitivities

RISKRISK

you are exposed you are exposed they know how to hurt you they know how to hurt you fear of rejection fear of rejection loss of support loss of support Image protect /change "If I tell, I Image protect /change "If I tell, I

paint a picture of me I don't like" paint a picture of me I don't like"

BENEFITSBENEFITS

open doors to others open doors to others understanding---> closer/intimate-understanding---> closer/intimate-

friends share care friends share care people who self disclose show good people who self disclose show good

mental health -often better immune mental health -often better immune system system

GUIDELINES TO SELF-GUIDELINES TO SELF-DISCLOSUREDISCLOSURE

don't spill beans to stranger-- think first don't spill beans to stranger-- think first 1. examine and evaluate Intentions -what is my 1. examine and evaluate Intentions -what is my

motivation? to enhance a relationship? revenge? motivation? to enhance a relationship? revenge? will it cause hurt? will it cause hurt?

2. Think about appropriate amount of self-2. Think about appropriate amount of self-disclosure relational satisfaction= moderate self disclosure relational satisfaction= moderate self disclosure -both prepared to take risks can be too disclosure -both prepared to take risks can be too much or too little disclosure much or too little disclosure

3. Pick your spots- time, place, person 3. Pick your spots- time, place, person 4. Pay attention to other's self disclosure-2 way 4. Pay attention to other's self disclosure-2 way

street street 5. Be prepared to live with what you reveal -reveal 5. Be prepared to live with what you reveal -reveal

what you are prepared for can't take it back what you are prepared for can't take it back

Listen and Respond to Listen and Respond to others self disclosureothers self disclosure

1. Pay close attention 1. Pay close attention 2. Suspend judgment 2. Suspend judgment 3. Reflect back what they said 3. Reflect back what they said 4. Remember disclosure 4. Remember disclosure 5. Listen with honesty-keep private 5. Listen with honesty-keep private 6. Reassure and support 6. Reassure and support 7. reciprocate with appropriate 7. reciprocate with appropriate

disclosure disclosure

SELF-ESTEEMSELF-ESTEEM

emotional affective component emotional affective component we have different perception of self but we make value we have different perception of self but we make value

judgment based on perceptions judgment based on perceptions E.g I'm short--- what does it mean/ value? shrimp? CUTE? E.g I'm short--- what does it mean/ value? shrimp? CUTE? self-esteem doesn't mean egoism- not self glorification self-esteem doesn't mean egoism- not self glorification over boastful may have low self esteem over boastful may have low self esteem compare self? education money grades fashion --what is compare self? education money grades fashion --what is

personal aspiration? personal aspiration? set realistic goal to attain step by step set realistic goal to attain step by step gender and sex definitions - women in college same grades gender and sex definitions - women in college same grades

as men but self-esteem lower aspiration lower, anti-male as men but self-esteem lower aspiration lower, anti-male bias in elementary schools and entertainment, etc.bias in elementary schools and entertainment, etc.

HOW TO ENHANCE SELF HOW TO ENHANCE SELF ESTEEMESTEEM

1. Engage in positive affirmations -positives, 1. Engage in positive affirmations -positives, attributes, possible attributes, possible

2. Surround self with supportive people nourish 2. Surround self with supportive people nourish soul--energy soul--energy

3. Set realistic goals go after achieve, build upon 3. Set realistic goals go after achieve, build upon success success

4. Disregard counterproductive irrational beliefs 4. Disregard counterproductive irrational beliefs (can't please everybody-one bad not end) (can't please everybody-one bad not end)

5. Change your presentation of self (communicate 5. Change your presentation of self (communicate more positively about self -value self-energy, more positively about self -value self-energy, enthusiasm, interest, fun) enthusiasm, interest, fun)

perception and the self

Education

common perceptual

give meaning

internal

categories

perception

reality

act

information