1. Perception and Understanding1 Lesson Objectives Why perceptions differ among people? What factors affect perceptions? How to sharpen perceptions?

2. Perception and Understanding2 Perception Process Perception: Active process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting people, objects, events, situations … etc. –Active –Three interrelated processes Examples in daily life …

3. Perception and Understanding3 Selection Noticing stimuli (selective attention) Factors influencing selection –What stands out –What matters –What changes –What we instruct ourselves to attend to –Other Motives: needs, interests …

4. Perception and Understanding4 Organization Constructivism –Applying cognitive structures (schemata) to organize and interpret experience Schemata –Prototypes: representative ideals (of the category) –Personal constructs: mental yardsticks (of judgment) –Stereotypes: predictive generalizations –Scripts: guides for a sequence of activities

5. Perception and Understanding5 Interpretation Creating explanations for observation Attributions –Internal-external locus –Stability –Responsibility of control (under or beyond control) Self-Serving Bias –Tendency of serving personal interests –Good results Positive / Internal control –Bad results Negative / external control

6. Perception and Understanding6 Influences on Perception Physiological factors –Sensory abilities, biorhythm, age Expectations –Prior hints, subliminal priming, positive visualization Cognitive abilities –Cognitive complexity (constructs), person-centeredness, empathy Social Roles Cultural Factors

7. Perception and Understanding7 Guidelines for Sharpening Skills Avoid mind reading Check perception with others –State what you noticed –Check if others perceive the same things –Seek help with interpretation Distinguish facts from inferences Monitor self-serving bias