Chapter 2 Foundations: Perception, Attitudes, and Personality Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright

Chapter Overview Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright Personality Attitudes The Process of Perception Person Perception

Quantifying Individual Behavior B = f (P, S) B = All individual behavior P = Something inside the person S = Something outside the person in the situation Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright

Perception An individual’s window to the world Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright

The Process of Perception Perceiver influences Input source influences Sensory Inputs Attention Construction Interpretation Action inputs Figure 2-1 in textbook Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright

Attention Where we choose to direct our sensory input system Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright

Influences on Attention Novelty Distinctiveness Vividness Personal perspective Needs Motivations Limitation of attention Theories of how world works Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright Input Source Perceiver

Construction The process of organizing and editing the sensory inputs in a way that makes them potentially meaningful Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright

Influences on Construction Input SourcePerceiver Contrast effects Anchoring-and- adjustment effects “Halo” effects Own perceptual set/ expectations Prejudice Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright

Interpretation The final stage in the process of perception where the perceiver attaches meaning to the object or event Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright

Attribution A process used in interpretation by which one perceives the causes of actions and outcomes Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright

Process of Attribution Location AbilityEffort Task Characteristics Luck Internal External Stability PermanentTemporary Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright Source: Weiner, B. (1975). Achievement motivation and attribution theory. Morristown, NJ: General Learning Press.

Influences on Attribution Input SourcePerceiver Others’ actions Others’ comments Others’ opinions Social comparison Personal perspective Limited diversity of circumstances Fundamental attribution error Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright

Attitudes Predispositions to respond in consistent ways to certain people, groups, ideas, or situations Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright (George & Jones, 1997)

Attitudes Perceptions (Situation) Belief System Values Beliefs Affect Action (Tendencies) Action Attitudes Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright

Personality The characteristics of an individual that cause consistent patterns in that individual’s behaviors over time Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright (Pervin, 1984)

The Big Five Personality Traits 1. Extraversion — sociable, talkative, assertive, ambitious, active Figure 2-5 in textbook Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright Conscientiousness — responsible, dependable, organized, achievement oriented 2. Emotional stability — calm, secure, not nervous 3. Agreeableness — considerate, cooperative, trusting 4. Openness to experience — imaginative, artistically sensitive, intellectual 2.17

Organizational Personality Traits Locus of Control the degree to which people think they can control the consequential events in their lives Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright 2002 Self-Esteem the amount of self-respect an individual has for himself or herself 2.18

Strong vs. Weak Situations VS. Strong Situations (less likely to predict) Situation in which demands are likely to cause everyone to behave in the same way Weak Situations (more likely to predict) Situation in which appropriate behavior is not obvious and people are free to decide what to do Understanding when personality will be useful in predicting behavior Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright

Person Perception Social Identity Theory Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright 2002 Stereotypes 2.20

Social Identity Theory We define ourselves by comparing and contrasting ourselves to people in other social groups, based on race, age, gender, etc. Example: identification with a particular political party Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright

Stereotypes A complex set of expectations and beliefs associated with specific personal characteristics, such as gender, age, race, or occupation Race Age Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher, Copyright