Chapter 3: Interpersonal Communication and Perception

Interpersonal Communication and PerceptionInterpersonal Communication and Perception

Perceptual Inputs Perceptual Inputs

Your learning style may predict Your learning style may predict your perceptual communication your perceptual communication

differences with others.differences with others.\\

What is your dominant learning style?What is your dominant learning style?Take this quiz to find out.Take this quiz to find out.

http://www.metamath.com/multiple/multiple_choice_questions.html

Perception BarriersPerception Barriers

• Stereotyping , thin slicing and generalizing. Be careful not to hold on to preconceptions about people or things. We often have a tendency to see what we want to see, forming an impression from a small amount of information. 

• Not investing time. Making assumptions and ignoring details can lead to misconceptions.

• Having a distorted focus. Focusing on the negative aspects of a conversation or a situation is a habit common to many people. Even though we may recognize the positive things, we often give more weight to the negative (i.e., one negative comment overshadows numerous positive ones). 

• Assuming similar interpretations. Not everyone will draw the same conclusions from a given situation or set of information. Everybody interprets things differently. Make sure to check for other people’s interpretations, and be explicit about your own. People need not always think alike, but do not assume that they will. Similarly, do not assume that everyone shares your priorities.

Online Perceptual DifficultiesOnline Perceptual Difficulties• “Text only” is open to miscommunication.

Emoticons have grown to be so popular because they have become the substitution for body language. A wink usually means you are teasing.

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/186534/807994

• Context and timing are important! Surrounding sentences and paragraphs can provide clarity. However as we move forward with new electronic advancements, our written messages get shorter and shorter.

Auditory ChannelAuditory Channel

“I know you think you heard what you know I thought I said...”

Mixed MessagesMixed Messages• Example : An overweight child

is rewarded with food and candy.

• The antidote to mixed messages is where what you say is what you say is consistent with what you do, consistent with what you do, and what you do is consistent and what you do is consistent with what you say.with what you say.  

Becoming “other- oriented.”Becoming “other- oriented.”Get on their channel!Get on their channel!• “I – it” relationship

• “I – thou” relationship.

Perceptions Gone Bad!!Perceptions Gone Bad!!

““Healthy Skepticism”Healthy Skepticism”be cautious of be cautious of

~ oversimplifying ~ignoring information ~overgeneralizing~ oversimplifying ~ignoring information ~overgeneralizing

Vaccines cause autism. Global warming is a hoax

Barriers to Perception: Barriers to Perception: Blind SpotsBlind Spots

• Over generalizing – thin slicing• Oversimplifying - takes more effort to explain• Stereotyping – harmful categorization• Imposing consistency and ignoring fluctuation in

mood and behavior of others.• Focusing on the negative (Debbie downer)• Blaming: Bridezilla• Avoiding responsibility – Bart Simpson

Rules of self disclosure: Rules of self disclosure: We have personal boundariesWe have personal boundaries

• Be “other oriented”

• Watch the non-verbal responses

• Do it slowly – watch for TMI

• Back off if they do not reciprocate

Emotional Intelligence refers to the ability to perceive, control, and evaluate

emotions. Some researchers suggest that emotional

intelligence can be learned and strengthened, while

other claim it is an inborn characteristic.

Want to know your E.Q. (for fun) – Try this quiz.Want to know your E.Q. (for fun) – Try this quiz.

http://quiz.ivillage.com/health/tests/eqtest2.htm