1. P ERCEPTION & S ELF P ERCEPTION : S ELF A WARENESS IS THE K EY Prepared by: Ken Cheng, Chaya Merrell, Nick Smith, & Andy Wislock

2. D EFINITIONS Perception: how you look at others and the world around you Self Perception : using past experiences to see yourself in your own way

3. P ERCEPTION & S ELF - PERCEPTION How you look at the world depends on what you think of yourself Most people communicate best with people of similar culture Your perception and attributions affect the way you communicate

4. S ELF P ERCEPTION The knowledge of one’s particular mental states, including one’s beliefs, desires, and sensations The looking glass model: How we think we appear to others How we think they evaluate that appearance The resulting shame or pride that we feel

5. S ELF P ERCEPTION AND THE S EXES MalesFemales social comparisons are the most important reflected appraisals are the most important value reflected appraisals of parents value reflected appraisal of friends self confidence comes from achievement self confidence from attachment

6. C ULTURAL D IFFERENCES Stereotype: oversimplifications or distorted views of another race, ethnic group, or culture Racism: the belief that one race is inferior to another Ethnocentrism: the belief that ones ethnic group is the most important and/or that some or all aspects of its culture are superior to those of others

7. E THNOCENTRISM Leads to misunderstanding others What is meaningful to other people is falsely distorted Inhibits constructive resolutions when facing conflicts between social groups Examples: Racism Colonialism Ethnic cleansing: Persecution through imprisonment, expulsion, or killing members of an ethnic minority by a majority to achieve ethnic “pureness” in majority- controlled territory

8. A DDRESSING E THNOCENTRISM One must be made aware that they are falsely assuming something that is not the case, or is out of context Watch for reactions Reactions tell one that they are assuming something and that their assumptions are not working Seek to develop a better understanding First step: We are the learners What are their meanings about the behavior and situation What are the adaptive functions of the behavior and situation

9. F UNDAMENTAL A TTRIBUTION E RROR Definition: blaming ones behavior on outside influences while blaming other’s behavior on internal flaws Reducing the error’s effects: Taking heed of “consensus” information When most people behave the same way when put in the same situation, then the situation is more likely to be the cause of the behavior Asking oneself how one would behave in the same situation Look for unseen causes, especially less prominent factors

10. I MPROVING S ELF -P ERCEPTION Take a self-perception inventory Such as the one from Belbin Associates herehere Analyze your behaviors first, others’ behaviors second Keep a journal: highlight feelings, rethink the situation, and consider causation Reflect, reflect, reflect: yourself

11. A NY QUESTIONS ?