Chapter 2 Perception
Chapter 2
Perception
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 experiencesPrior knowledgePsychological 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 sense
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 usRelated 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 othersPositive 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 informationPositive 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 observedAre about the past, present or futureInclude 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
Sharpening Your Perception
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
Sharpening Your Perception
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 viewSharing your point of viewUnderstanding/sharing feelingsWorking together to resolve a problemMove from “convincing” other person to
cultivating “curiosity” about others’ views
Sharpening Your Perception
– Phases of learning conversationsInvite the person to share his/her different
point of viewShare 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?