Perceiving and Communicating with Others 3 Perceiving and Communicating with Others

Perceiving and Communicating with Others Communications in a Changing World Factors that Influence Perception Steps in the Process of Forming Perceptions Communicating Responsibly: Perception Guidelines

Communications in a Changing World Our perceptions, the process of assigning meaning to sensory information and experiences, of others guide the way we talk to and about them The power that perceptions have in guiding communication makes them particularly important to understand and manage

Factors that Influence Perception Physical Factors Physical characteristics such as age, height, and ability influence our attitudes and behaviors, and they play a role in how we perceive others and communicate with them Physical needs also influence our perceptions There are physical limits to the amount and type of information we perceive

Factors that Influence Perception Personality Our personality affects how we perceive others Culture We process perceptions through the filters of the cultures to which we belong

Steps in the Process of Forming Perceptions Figure 3-1. Steps in the Process of Perception

Steps in the Process of Forming Perceptions Selecting Selection occurs when we focus on some sensory stimuli rather than others

Steps in the Process of Forming Perceptions Figure 3-3. What do you see in this image?

Steps in the Process of Forming Perceptions Organizing Perceptions Organization occurs when we place stimuli in a category or mental box to give them meaning and aid our retention Understanding the process of organizing perception can unpack hidden assumptions and expectations about our interactions with others

Steps in the Process of Forming Perceptions Figure 3-4A. What do you see in the inkblot?

Steps in the Process of Forming Perceptions Figure 3-4B. What categories can you use to make sense of this image?

Steps in the Process of Forming Perceptions Organizing Perceptions Stereotypes are generalizations about people based on their group affiliation, rather than their individual characteristics Scripts are guides to actions and expectations based on the way we have categorized our perceptions

Steps in the Process of Forming Perceptions Interpreting Perceptions Interpretation is the stage in the perception process in which we determine the meaning of an event or interaction Context can often help us to interpret the meaning of someone’s statements or actions Closure allows us to draw conclusions based on unfinished, incomplete, or limited information

Communicating Responsibly: Perception Guidelines Own Your Perceptions Recognize why your perceptions might be different than those of the person you are talking to Realize that others might not share your perceptions

Communicating Responsibly: Perception Guidelines User Perception Checks A perception check is a tool that gauges the accuracy of your perceptions by engaging in conversations with others Describe the behavior you’ve observed Acknowledge that there is more than one way to interpret the behavior Ask for clarification

Summary Our perceptions form the basis of interpretation about ourselves and others, and we communicate based on those interpretations Perception is also affected by the cultural context of interaction

Summary Perceptions are the basis for decisions about how to communicate appropriately and effectively, because how we perceive people or events will influence our responses to them