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Perception: or How We Create Meaning

Perception is a process that involves selection, organization, and interpretation of stimuli. It is influenced by physiological, cultural, and psychological factors. Perceptual errors can occur when we rely too heavily on first impressions, stereotypes, or a negative bias. To increase accurate perception, we should recognize our perceptions are subjective, seek to understand other perspectives through empathy rather than sympathy, and check perceptions by clarifying interpretations of behaviors with others.

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33 views

Perception: or How We Create Meaning

Perception is a process that involves selection, organization, and interpretation of stimuli. It is influenced by physiological, cultural, and psychological factors. Perceptual errors can occur when we rely too heavily on first impressions, stereotypes, or a negative bias. To increase accurate perception, we should recognize our perceptions are subjective, seek to understand other perspectives through empathy rather than sympathy, and check perceptions by clarifying interpretations of behaviors with others.

Uploaded by

Anonymous yy8In96j0r
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Perception

Or
How We Create Meaning
Perception
Perception is a PROCESS.
 Selection
 Organization
 Interpretation
 Negotiation
Selection:
Determining what cues to attend to . . . or
ignore
 Intense stimuli
 Repetitious stimuli
 Contrast or change in stimulation
 Stimuli that relates to our interests or
needs (motives)
Organization:
Making sense through a lens
 Figure and ground
 Perceptual schema (classifications that
often involve stereotyping, “exaggerated
beliefs associated with a categorizing
system”)
Perceptual Schema
 Physical constructs
 Role constructs
 Interaction constructs
 Psychological constructs
 Membership constructs
Interpretation:
Reaching a conclusion
 Degree of involvement w/ the person
 Past experience
 Assumptions about human behavior
 Expectations
Interpretation:
 Knowledge
 Self concept
 Relational satisfaction
 Personal mood
Negotiation
 Creating a shared meaning
 Often created through narratives
Perceptions are influenced by:
 Physiological influences
 Senses
 Age
 Health
 Fatigue
 Hunger
 Biological cycles
Perceptions are influenced by:
 Culture
 Social roles (gender, occupation)
 Self-concept
Perceptual errors include:
 We often judge ourselves more charitably
than others
 We cling to first impressions, even when
wrong
 We tend to make frozen evaluations
 We tend to favor negative impressions
over positive ones
To increase the accuracy of
your perceptions:
 Recognize: perceptions are personally
based
 Check your perceptions
 Describe the noticed behavior
 State at least two possible interpretations
 Request clarification about how to interpret
the behavior
To increase the accuracy of your
perceptions:
 Seek to be empathetic (as opposed to
sympathetic!)
 Empathy: “The ability to re-create another
person’s perspective, to experience the world
from the other’s point of view.” (p. 109)
 Sympathy: Viewing “the other person’s
situation from your point of view.” (p. 111)
Perception Checking Practice
 You made an excellent suggestion to an
instructor. The instructor looked uninterested but
said she would check on the matter right away.
Three weeks have passed and nothing has
changed.
 A neighbor and good friend has not responded
to your “Good morning” for three days in a row.
This person is usually friendly.

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