Perception

• The process you use to assign meaning to data about yourself or the world around you.

• Much of your self-talk is based on your perceptions.

PersonalSince each person is unique, his or her perceptions

are highly personal and individualized.

Three Steps of Perception

1. SensoryAn individual’s ability to

detect stimuli in the immediate environment.

(Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching)

2. SelectiveThe process a person uses

to eliminate some of the stimuli that have been sensed and to retain others for further processing.

3. PersonalOrganizing and sorting the

data to which to pay attention.

Personal Perception:

Making Judgments About Others

Factors that Influence PerceptionValuesBeliefsCultureBiasPrejudice AttitudesExpectationsKnowledgeCommunication

skills

Your Perception is Unique

Do you and your classmates have the same perception of the following images?

Rabbit or Bird?

Stare at the middle of the circle. What color is the spinning dot?

Increasing Accuracy in Perception Perceive critically: For example, recognize

your role in perception, avoid early conclusions, and avoid mind reading.

Check your perceptions; describe what you see or hear and ask for confirmation.

Be culturally sensitive; recognize the differences between you and others and also the differences among people from another culture.

StereotypesA fixed impression about a group, may influence

your perceptions of individual members; you may see individuals only as members of the group instead of as unique individuals.

Stereotypes

Who is the convicted felon?

PerspectiveTaking the perspective of the other person and

looking at the world through this perspective, this point of view, rather than through your own is crucial in achieving mutual understanding.

Analyzing PerceptionsEveryone sees him or herself, others, events, and theworld from a different viewpoint.

How do you know you really saw what you think you saw

or heard what you think you heard?

The secret to checking perceptions is never to assume that the truth is the actual, absolute truth.

Questions for checking perceptionDo I stay alert?Do I strive for sensory awareness?Am I making conscious choices about what to tune in

or out?Do my choices focus on what is most important rather

than what is most obvious?Am I easily distracted?Am I aware of factors that influence my self-talk?Do I ask myself”Is this really what I saw or heard or

merely what I told myself I saw or heard?Do I compare my perceptions to the perceptions of

others to check for accuracy?

Take Responsibity for Your Own Communication

If you feel your message is not understood, it is your responsibility to check the receiver’s perceptions.

Ask questions to make sure the receiver got your intended message.

Perception checking will make your interpersonal communication more effective.