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 experiences Prior knowledge Psychological 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 us Related 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 others Positive 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 information Positive 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 observed Are about the past, present or future Include 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 view Sharing your point of view Understanding/sharing feelings Working together to resolve a problem Move from “convincing” other person to cultivating “curiosity” about others’ views

Sharpening Your Perception – Phases of learning conversations Invite the person to share his/her different point of view Share 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?