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PerceptionsPerceptionsPerceptionsPerceptions
2: Inter-Act, 132: Inter-Act, 13thth Edition Edition
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Social PerceptionSocial Perception
Also known as “cognitive perception,” it is the set of
processes by which people perceive themselves and others.
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PerceptionPerception
The process of selectively attending to, organizing, and interpreting the information that we receive through
our senses
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Attention & SelectionAttention & Selection
OrganizationOrganization
InterpretationInterpretation
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Attention and SelectionAttention and Selection
Selection is determined by:
1.Our needs
2.Our interests
3.Our expectations
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OrganizationOrganization• Simplicity: the brain reduces complex
stimuli into recognized forms
• Pattern recognition: the brain organizes information into recognizable patterns or systems of interrelated parts
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InterpretationInterpretation
The process of assigning meaning to the information that has been
selected and organized
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Dual Processing in Dual Processing in PerceptionPerception
• Automatic processing
–Fast, subconscious
–Heuristics: rules of thumb for how something is to be viewed based on experience
• Conscious processing
–Slow, deliberative approach
–We examine and think about the stimuli
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Perceiving OthersPerceiving Others
Uncertainty reduction theory: ways individuals monitor their social environments to know more about themselves and others
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Impression FormationImpression FormationPhysicalPhysical appearance: appearance: predictions based on appearance
Implicit personality theory: Implicit personality theory: inaccurate perceptions based on the association of physical or other characteristics with personality traits
Assumed similarity: Assumed similarity: thinking that others who share one characteristic with you also share others
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AttributionsAttributionsAttributions: Attributions: reasons we give for our own and others’ behavior
Situational attribution: Situational attribution: attributing behavior to an external situation, outside of a person’s control
Dispositional attribution: Dispositional attribution: attributing behavior to someone’s internal disposition or personality
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Selective Perception – Selective Perception – inaccurately paying attention only to what we expect to see or hear and ignoring what we don’t expect
Person-Perception Biases – Person-Perception Biases – selective perception, stereotyping, halo effects, forced consistency, projection, and fundamental attribution error
Person-Perception Person-Perception BiasesBiases
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Prejudice Prejudice –– stereotyping based on the characteristics of a person’s group
Discrimination – Discrimination – acting differently toward a person based on prejudice
Racism, Ethnocentrism, Heterosexism, Racism, Ethnocentrism, Heterosexism, Sexism, Ageism, Able-ism – Sexism, Ageism, Able-ism – belief that the behaviors or characteristics of one group are inherently superior to those of another
StereotypingStereotyping
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Halo effects Halo effects –– thinking a person has a whole set of related personality traits when only one trait has actually been observed
Forced consistency –Forced consistency – interpreting conflicting different perceptions of another person so our interpretation of what we see remains consistent
Projection – Projection – thinking that someone who is like us in one respect will share other characteristics and attitudes
More BiasesMore Biases
Fundamental attribution error – Fundamental attribution error – ascribing others’ negative behavior to their dispositions while ascribing our negative behavior to the situation
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Improving Social Improving Social PerceptionsPerceptions
• Question the accuracy of perceptions.
• Seek more information.
• Use conscious processing.
• Realize that perceptions change.
• Use perception checking.
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Self-concept –Self-concept – your perception of your competencies and personality traits
Self-esteem –Self-esteem – your evaluation of your perceived competence and personal worthiness
Self-PerceptionSelf-Perception
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Cultural & Self-PerceptionCultural & Self-Perception
Independent self-perception: viewing traits, abilities, and personality as internal and universally applicable Interdependent self-perception: viewing traits, abilities, and personality as dependent upon the situation
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Positive Self-EsteemPositive Self-EsteemPerception of having a characteristic
+ Personal belief that the characteristic is of positive value
= Positive self-esteem
-Mruk
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Accuracy of Self-Concept Accuracy of Self-Concept and Self-Esteemand Self-Esteem
•Incongruence: gap between self-perception and reality•Self-fulfilling prophecies: events that happen as the result of being foretold, expected, or talked about•Filtering messages: paying attention only to messages that reinforce our current self-concept
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Self-Perception and Self-Perception and CommunicationCommunication
Our self-perception affects our communication by influencing our messages to/about ourselves and to/about others.
Self-Perception OnlineSelf-Perception Online
Online communication attitudes influence how much you communicate through social media.
How comfortable are you with. . .•Digital self-disclosure?•Digital social connection?•Convenience? •Digital apprehension?•Miscommunication?
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Social Media: the Human FactorSocial Media: the Human Factor
• Self-disclosure provides opportunities for connection.
• Remember that miscommunication can occur.
• Convenience is both an opportunity and a challenge.
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