Chapter 2 Perception of Self and Others COMMUNICATE! Chapter 2 Perception of Self and Others

Learning Outcomes LO1 Discover how the perception process works LO2 Examine how self-perception is formed and maintained LO3 Describe how we form perceptions of others LO4 Discuss how to increase the accuracy of our perception of self and others LO5 Analyze how perception influences and is influenced by communication

Discover how the perception process works LO1 Discover how the perception process works

Perception LO1 The process of selectively attending to information and assigning meaning to it. LO1

Attention and Selection Choice of sensory stimuli depends on: Needs Interests Expectations LO1

Organization Number of stimuli we attend to is substantial. Brain organizes stimuli using: Simplicity Pattern LO1

Interpretation As the brain selects and organizes information, it also interprets the information by assigning meaning to it. LO1

Dual Processing Our capacity to take in and process information is limited Mind developed two-pronged approach Automatic processing – heuristics Conscious processing - deliberative LO1

Examine how self-perception is formed and maintained LO2 Examine how self-perception is formed and maintained

Perception of Self LO2 Self-perception Overall view we have of ourselves Self-concept Perception of our skills, abilities, etc. Self-esteem Evaluation we make about our personal worthiness based on self-concept

Self-Concept LO2 Personal experiences critical to forming Positive first experiences Negative first experiences

Self-Concept LO2 Shaped by how others react and respond to us Use comments to validate or alter perceptions Feedback may reveal abilities never before associated with ourselves Reactions from someone we respect are more powerful

Ideal Self-Concept LO2 As interact with others, form ideal self-concept What we would like to be

Self-Esteem LO2 Our positive or negative evaluation of our competencies and traits Importance we place on what we do well or poorly

Cultural Norms and Self-Perceptions LO2 Cultural norms play a critical role in shaping self-concept and self-esteem Independent-self perceptions Based on belief traits internal to person Interdependent-self perceptions Based on belief traits that are specific to a particular context or relationship

Cultural Norms and Self-Perceptions Cultural norms play a role in shaping self-perception around masculine and feminine self-perception. LO2

Cultural Norms and Self-Perceptions Some people involved in more than one cultural group May develop both types of self-perception Switch “cultural frames” LO2

Accuracy and Distortion Incongruence Self-fulfilling prophecies Filtering messages Media images LO2

Discuss how perception influences and is influenced by communication LO5 Discuss how perception influences and is influenced by communication

Self-Perception and Communication LO5 Self-talk Internal conversation have with ourselves Positive self-perception = positive self-talk Negative self-perception = negative self-talk

Self-Perception and Communication LO5 Talk about others Positive self-perception = take credit for success Self-perceptions influence how we talk about ourselves with others

Self-Perception and Communication LO5 Influences how talk about others to ourselves More accurate self-perception = more likely to perceive others accurately More positive self-perception = more likely to see others favorably

Self-Perception and Communication LO5 Social construction of self Presenting different aspects of self-concept based on situation and people involved

Self-Perception and Communication LO5 Self-monitoring Internal process of being aware of how coming across to others and adjusting behavior

Changing Self-Perceptions Fairly enduring characteristics, but can be changed Therapy and self-help techniques Improving self-perception will improve how you interact with others and, thus, your self-perception LO5

Describe how we form perceptions of others LO3 Describe how we form perceptions of others

Uncertainty Reduction LO3 Theory that explains how individuals monitor social environment to know more about themselves and others As reduce uncertainty, become more comfortable

Implicit personality theory Assumed similarity Forming Impressions LO3 Physical appearance Implicit personality theory Assumed similarity

Reasons give for others and own behavior Situational attribution Making Attributions LO3 Reasons give for others and own behavior Situational attribution Dispositional attribution

Inaccurate and Distorted Perceptions LO3 Selective perception Forced consistency Prejudice Stereotypes Discrimination

LO4 Discuss how to increase the accuracy of our perception of self and others

Improving Perceptions LO4 Question accuracy of perceptions. Use conscious processing. Seek more information. Realize perceptions will change over time. Seek clarification by perception checking.