What I See Depends on Me

• Definition: how you see things (self, world, others)

• Is based upon your background, education, family situation, self-concept, history

Individual’s Unique Perceptual Filter

World as it IS

VALUESNEEDSGOALS

INTERESTSBELIEFS

ATTITUDESEXPECTATIONS

WANTSKNOWLEDGE

FEELINGSLANGUAGESEDUCATION

World as it APPEARS

Perception= selecting, organizing, and interpreting

• Selecting– Mind limits what we attend to– Tend to choose data/message we agree with or

we find most meaningful– We register the positive aspects of what we like

and the negative of what we don’t like

• Organizing– Enlarging (put words or experiences into larger

context in order to understand)– Simplifying (take notes, summarize)– Closing (fill in the details ex: three dots form a

triangle)

• Interpreting– give meaning to information--> evaluate,

conclude -respond appropriately and predict future

– Identification & Evaluation eg. loud noise at night ---decide right/wrong

Optical Illusions

• How many black dots do you see?

Are the two lines parallel or bowed?

Duck or bunny?

Black squares on top or bottom?

• Slinky opening on left or right?

Are the lines parallel?

• Is it a star or a square?

Movement?

What kind of people do you see?

Impossible!?!?

Hmmmmmmm…?

Common Perception Problems

• Stereotyping– individual is as unique as fingerprint – lumping together leads to incorrect judgment – eg."men lack feelings" "feminist hates men" "

Canadians eat bacon" – stereotype damages personal relationships

function of stereotype-to simplify information – selectivity-- we look for information to confirm

stereotype

• Self-fulfilling Prophecy– "prophecy is oftentimes the cause of

events foretold" – you predict it and then behave as if it is true – eg. people don't like me--then act that way – can be positive self-fulfilling for positive effect

• Halo-effect– Form a general impression based on 1 aspect – eg. John is energetic, eager and (intelligent,

unintelligent) – you may see qualities that aren't there may

ignore bad – are you witnessing your assumption or reality? – also reverse halo

• Attribution Error (cause is incorrect or faulty)– Failed test because • Noise in room • It’s a bad test• Told the wrong thing to study• Having a bad day

– Passed because• Am just smart• Teacher likes me

• Proximity– physical/psychological closeness – from distance person may appear beautiful but if

closer they don’t– if attitude is close to own, then that’s better

• e.g. - In a Movie -photographer notices lighting, angles but a movie actor may notice acting

• we bring our own mind set

• Role Definition– we have many roles: student, teacher, wife,

brother, friend – roles affect needs, attitudes, expectations, beliefs – Aggressive male--> self-willed – Aggressive female--> domineering, B…Witch

Self-concept

• You are your own worst enemy

Johari Window Known to self Not known to self

Known to others OPEN SELF BLIND SELF

Not known to others HIDDEN SELF UNKNOWN SELFOPEN SELFall know name, gender, preferences-what you

choose for others to knowBLIND SELF

others see we can't see -our quirks UNKNOWN SELF

Neither you nor others know unconscious

HIDDEN SELFyou know but don't share personal boundaries

(The size of boxes can vary)

SELF-ESTEEM

• How you feel about yourself and your actions…

• we have different perception of self but we make value judgment based on perceptions

• E.g. I'm short--- what does it mean? value? shrimp? CUTE?

• self-esteem doesn't mean egoism- not self glorification

• over boastful may have low self esteem

• compare self? education money grades fashion --what is personal aspiration?

• set realistic goal to attain step by step • gender and sex definitions -study women in

college same grades as men but self-esteem lower aspiration lower

HOW TO ENHANCE SELF ESTEEM

• 1. Engage in positive affirmations -positives, attributes, possible

• 2. Surround self with supportive people nourish soul--energy

• 3. Set realistic goals go after achieve, build upon success

• 4. Disregard counterproductive irrational beliefs (can't please everybody-one bad not end)

• 5. Change your presentation of self (communicate more positively about self -value self-energy, enthusiasm, interest, fun)