Perceptual Process

M U Tennakoon – MBM/3/B2/83

Sachithra Udeshini - MBM/3/B2/84

H.M.W.M. Herath- MBM/3/B2/05

G.M.D. Nuwan - MBM/3/B2/20

H.A. Charitha Rukshan - MBM/3/B2/33

Case Study

Kumar was jailed for 2 years when he was 18 years for stealing a camera.Felt ashamed of his behavior vowed to change himself by being truthful, honest and hardworkingSecured job as a loading handyman at a wholesale distributor of an automobile tyre shop despite his criminal background thanks to Mr Patel, where Kumar eventually rose to distribution manager upon Mr Patel’s retirement after 20 years

Kumar also completed his college degree on a part time basis while working.

Case Study (Cont)

Ram who was also a convict, approaches Kumar in search of a job promising to be a hard worker. Kumar recalling his own background decided to give . Ram a chance. Ram carries out the job very well. A worker complains that his wallet is missing. Kumar confronts Ram and he denies any wrong doing. Kumar was upset about the incident and the wallet was eventually found a few days later.The clerk while updating the personnel's records and mentions to few staff members of Ram’s Jail term and was happy that the company provides convicts a second chance.The situation intensifies when petty cash is missing and Ram was seen in the area. Some even suggested that Ram returned wallet because he was questioned. Ram denied taking money from the petty cash.

What Should Kumar Do?

Should Kumar fire Ram?

The effect on Kumar’s conscience if he fires an innocent man…

But what if Ram is innocent?

If Ram is not fired Kumar will lose trust and there will be tension in office

Case Study (cont)…

Why is Kumar facing such problems? Is Ram really a thief? What made other employees accuse

Ram without clear evidence? Is it something to do with perception? What is perception?

What is Perception

Perception is a process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory in order to give meaning to their environment.

Perception can be substantially or entirely different from the reality.

Perception & Decision Making The way individuals make decisions and the

quality of their choices are largely influenced by their perceptions.

Decision making occurs as a reaction to a problem.

Some one’s problem may be a satisfactory state of affair to another.

So awareness that a problem exists and that a decision might or might not be needed is a perceptual issue.

Perception & Decision Making Every decision requires interpretation and

evaluation of information. We typically receive information from multiple sources and interpret them.

Which data are relevant to the decision, and which are not? Our perceptions will answer that question.

We also need to develop alternatives and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. Again, our perceptual process will affect the final outcome.

Main Questions….

Identification of personal & situational characteristics in terms of the perceptual process.

The information that Kumar requires to take a decision about Ram.

Why did everyone believe that Ram is a thief? Can a thief never become an honest man?

Analyzing Questions…….

Identification of personal & situational characteristics in terms of the perceptual process.

Perceptual process

A process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory impressions in order to give meaning to their environment.

Receiving Selecting

Interpreting

Organizing

Response

Factors Influencing Perception

Factors in the target

•Motion•Sound•Size•Novelty•Background•Similarity Factors in the perceiver

•Attitude•Interests•Motives•Experience

Factors in the situation

•Time •Work setting•Social setting

Situational Characteristics

The tension that has arisen in office due to the loss of petty cash and the employee’s wallet.

Several employees have requested Kumar to fire Ram.

The employees will refuse to trust Kumar if Ram is not fired.

Personal Characteristics

Kumar believes that Ram is innocent based on his own experience

Kumar is willing to give a second chance to people as he got one in his carrier

Ram’s past background influences

Many workers have the attitude that once a thief is always a thief

Analyzing Questions…….

The information that Kumar requires to take a decision about Ram…….

Steps in handling the issue Kumar should come to resolve the problem

with a free and unbiased mind set.

Kumar should avoid making pre assumptions about Ram and conduct a proper inquiry.

Collect as much information as possible relating to the matter.

Steps in handling the issue What information to be collected..??

Petty Cash record Statement from the person handling petty

cash Statement from Ram Bills and invoices relating to petty cash Statements from other employees who

complained about Ram Statement from the person who lost the

wallet previously

Kumar needs to exercise his judgment to ensure that the statements given by the other employees are not fabricated.

Steps in handling the issue If the information collected proves that

Ram is the culprit, Kumar has to take action against Ram as per company policy.

If information clearly proves that Ram is innocent, Kumar has to make it clear to other staff that Ram is 100% clean.

If the information is not substantial enough to take a decision, Kumar should obtain help from a third party to resolve the issue.

Analyzing Questions…….

Why did everyone believe that Ram is a thief? Can a thief never become an honest man?

Making Judgment About Others Attribution Theory:

Our perception and judgment of a person’s actions, therefore, will be significantly influenced by the assumptions we make about that person’s internal state

Factors that Determine our Perception About Others.Distinctiveness: Displaying different behavior in different

situation. Whether this aspect is unusual (external) or usual (internal)

Consensus: If everyone who faces a similar situation

responds in the same way, we can say the behavior shows consensus.

Consistency: Does the person respond the same way

over time? 

Common Shortcuts in Judging Others. Selective perception:

We cannot observe everything going on about us and we engage in selective perception

Halo Effect: Our general views contaminate our specific

ones. That is when we draw a general impression about an individual on the basis of a single characteristic, such as intelligence, sociability, or appearance, a halo effect is operating.

Common Shortcuts in Judging Others.

Contrast Effect: We don’t evaluate a person in isolation. Our

reaction is influenced by other persons we have recently encountered

Stereotyping: When we judge someone on the basis of our

perception of the group to which he or she belongs, we are using the shortcut called stereotyping.

Conclusion Is once a thief, always a

thief…..??

Can a thief never become an honest man…??

Is it accurate to base everything on our perception?

Is perception a reality?

Conclusion Perception is highly subjective

Qualitative characteristic within human beings

Different individuals having different perceptions towards a same thing

Situational

First impression

Conclusion

“It's all in the mind.” - George Harrison (lead guitarist Beatles)