1. Perception

6. Communication Problem
We tend to ignore the fact that all of us are different and that these differences equip us to view the world from our very own vantage points.

7. Usually we spend more energy defending our own position than understanding another’s.

8. No matter how attentive we might be; there is just too much going on for us to attend to everything.
“Six Men of Indostan”

9. Three steps to attach meaning to our experience:
Selection
We select what data to which we will attend.
Intense
Repetitious stimuli
Contrast of change in stimulation
Motives

11. Organization We must arrange data in some meaningful way.
How do you organize the people you meet:
Age, education, occupation, physical attractiveness, astrological sign…others?
How different would your relationships be if you didn’t use the organizing methods you just identified?

13. Interpretation There are many ways to interpret a single event:
Past experience
Assumptions about human behavior
Expectations
Knowledge
Personal moods

15. Physiological Influences on Perceptions
Taste
Odor
Temperature
Hearing
Vision
Gender

16. Other Physiological Factors
Health
Fatigue
Age
Height
Hunger
Daily cycles

18. Social Roles Gender roles Occupational roles
How we think is a function of our roles in society. It seems that what we are is determined largely by society’s designation of who we are.

19. Cultural Differences
Every culture has its own view, its own way of looking at the world which is unique. When we remember these differing cultural perspectives, they can be a great way of learning more about both ourselves and others.

21. People who learn to experience perspectives different than their own are better communicators.
Empathy isn’t easy, especially when its most needed. Your own experience almost certainly shows you that the times when you disagree most strongly with someone are the times when it is hardest to see the other side.

22. Pillow Education in Rural Japan
Your position is correct and your opponents is wrong
Your opponents position is correct and yours is wrong.
Both your positions are correct and both are wrong.
It isn’t important which side is right or wrong. If you understand – not necessarily accept but just understand – the other persons position, you have succeeded.