Unit FourUnit FourWhat you see is what you getWhat you see is what you get

PerceptionPerception

Perception effects Perception effects CommunicationCommunication• Each of us in everyday life Each of us in everyday life

experiences a different reality.experiences a different reality.• Example the word “cold” to people in Example the word “cold” to people in

different parts of the country means different parts of the country means different things.different things.

• This chapter will help you to look at This chapter will help you to look at the world from others eyes, to the world from others eyes, to improve communication.improve communication.

The Perception ProcessThe Perception Process• SelectionSelection• OrganizationOrganization• Interpretation Interpretation • NegotiatingNegotiating

Selection isSelection isthe factors the factors which which cause us to cause us to ignore ignore some things some things and pay and pay attention attention to others.to others.

• OrganizationOrganizationoccurs when weoccurs when wemake sense of thingsmake sense of thingsby noticing that someby noticing that somedata stands outdata stands outagainst a less strikingagainst a less strikingBackground.Background.

Perceptual Schema Perceptual Schema • We tendWe tendTo classifyTo classifypeople accordingpeople accordingto social roles,to social roles,appearance,appearance,memberships, memberships, and others.and others.

InterpretationInterpretation• After the organization and selection After the organization and selection

of our perceptions we interpret them of our perceptions we interpret them in a way that makes sense to us.in a way that makes sense to us.

Factors influencing Factors influencing InterpretationInterpretation• InvolvementInvolvement• Past experiencesPast experiences• StereotypingStereotyping• KnowledgeKnowledge• ExpectationsExpectations• AssumptionsAssumptions• AttitudesAttitudes• Self ConceptSelf Concept

NegotiationNegotiation• This occurs among people as influence This occurs among people as influence

one another’s perceptions and try to one another’s perceptions and try to have a shared understanding. have a shared understanding.

• Scholars call these Scholars call these stories we tell to stories we tell to others to describe others to describe our personal world’s our personal world’s “ “narratives.”narratives.”

Influences on PerceptionInfluences on Perception• PhysiologicalPhysiological• AgeAge• HealthHealth• FatigueFatigue• HungerHunger

• Gender RolesGender Roles• Occupational RolesOccupational Roles• Self ConceptSelf Concept• Biological CyclesBiological Cycles• Cultural Cultural

DifferencesDifferences

Tendencies in PerceptionTendencies in Perception• AttributionAttribution• We make snap judgementsWe make snap judgements• We cling to first impressionsWe cling to first impressions• We judge ourselves more charitably than We judge ourselves more charitably than

we do otherswe do others• We are influenced by our expectionsWe are influenced by our expections• We are influenced by the obviousWe are influenced by the obvious• We assume others are like usWe assume others are like us

Perception CheckingPerception Checking• A description of the behaviorA description of the behavior• Two possible interpretations of the Two possible interpretations of the

behaviorbehavior• A request for clarification about how A request for clarification about how

to interpret the behaviorto interpret the behavior