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PerceptionsPerceptions

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 appearanceImplicit personality theory: Implicit personality theory: inaccurate perceptions based on the association of physical or other characteristics with personality traitsAssumed 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 controlDispositional 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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