Self and PerceptionSelf and PerceptionChapter 3

TopicsTopicsSelf ConceptSelf AwarenessStages of perception“Impression Formation

processes”◦Barriers to effective perception

Increasing accuracy in perception

Self ConceptSelf ConceptHow you see yourself

Sources of Self ConceptSources of Self ConceptOthers’ images of youSocial comparisonCultural teachingsYour interpretations and

evaluations

Self AwarenessSelf AwarenessThe extent to which you know

yourselfJohari Model

◦Open self◦Blind self◦Hidden self◦Unknown self

Self EsteemSelf EsteemWhat is Self Esteem?Ways to improve self-esteem

Increasing Self AwarenessIncreasing Self AwarenessAsk yourselfListen to othersSeek informationSee your different selvesIncrease your open self

PerceptionPerceptionStagesImpression formationImpression management

Perception StagesPerception StagesStimulationOrganizationInterpretation / EvaluationMemoryRecall

1. Stimulation1. StimulationSensing stageSelective Perception: Cannot

process everything in the environment◦Selective Attention◦Selective Exposure

2. Organization2. OrganizationOrganize information sensedRules

◦Proximity◦Similarity◦Contrast

SchemataScripts – Schema focused on an

event

3. Interpretation3. InterpretationGive meaning to what you have

sensedMeaning will be based on how

information was organized

4. Memory4. MemoryExperience will enter our

memory based on how we have interpreted the event.

5. Recall5. RecallRemembering the event laterRecall will be consistent with

previous stagesMay add or subtract information

to fit our expectations (rules, schema)

““Impression Formation Impression Formation Processes”Processes”Self-fulfilling ProphecyImplicit Personality TheoryPerceptual AccentuationPrimacy vs RecencyConsistencyAttribution of Control

Self-fulfilling prophecy:◦We make predictions about our

communication outcomes◦However, we also influence those

outcomes with our behaviors◦We then use this outcome to “prove

our point”

Implicit Personality Theory:◦We use observations of others to

draw conclusions ◦(Similar to stereotyping, but based

on personality traits, not group identity)

Perceptual Accentuation◦We perceive what we expect (or

want) to observe instead of what actually occurs

Primacy vs Recency ◦First impressions strongly influence

later interactions◦More recent impressions may cause

us to reinterpret our perception

Consistency◦We expect consistency in events and

relationships

Attribution:◦Our attempts to determine

motivation for behaviorsErrors:

◦Self-serving Bias◦Overattribution◦Fundamental Attribution Error

Increasing AccuracyIncreasing AccuracyPerception checking

◦Describe what you observe What did you see / hear? Concrete terms

◦Ask for confirmation of your perception Do not tell, ASK