CH2 Perception Part 1 PDF

CHAPTER 2 Perception Part 1 Chapter Outline: Perception Definition The Perceptual Process Social identity theory The Attribution Process: Judging the Causes of Others’ Behavior Perceptual Biases Perception Definition: By perception, we mean the process by which one screens,...

CHAPTER 2 Perception Part 1 Chapter Outline: Perception Definition The Perceptual Process Social identity theory The Attribution Process: Judging the Causes of Others’ Behavior Perceptual Biases Perception Definition: By perception, we mean the process by which one screens, selects, organizes, and interprets stimuli to give them meaning. It is a process of making sense out of the environment in order to make an appropriate behavioral response. Perception does not necessarily lead to an accurate portrait of the environment, but rather to a unique portrait, influenced by the needs, desires, values, and disposition of the perceiver. An individual’s perception of a given situation is not a photographic representation of the physical world; it is a partial, personal construction in which certain objects selected by the individual , are perceived in an individual manner. Every perceiver paints a picture of the world that expresses an individual view of reality. Perceptual selectivity : Refers to the process by which individuals select objects in the environment for attention The Perceptual Process: The perceptual process happens for several times in a day. The process of perception passes through the following stages: Phase 1: Exposure to a stimulus Exposure is the initial stage in which a person receives the information through the sense organs, where the individual is first exposed to an object or stimulus—a loud noise, a tall building, written messages, oral communication, odor, taste, touch of the product and people and so on. Then mind gets information through the five sense organs, viz. the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin. The perception starts with the awareness of these stimuli. Phase 2: Attention Attention is the second stage in the process. Here a person doesn’t receive the data randomly but selectively. A person selects some information out of all in accordance with his interest or needs. An example: While conducting a factory tour, two managers came across a piece of machinery. One manager’s attention focused on the stopped machine; the other manager focused on the worker who was trying to fix it. Both managers simultaneously asked the worker a question. The first manager asked why the machine was stopped, and the second manager asked if the employee thought that he could fix it. Both managers were presented with the same situation, but they noticed different aspects. These various influences on selective attention can be divided into external influences and internal (personal) influences A) External Attention Factors:. The external factors consist of outside environmental factors that influence the perception of an individual externally such as intensity, size, contract, repetition, motion, and novelty and familiarity. Intensity: The intensity principle of attention states that the more intense the external stimulus, the more likely it is to be perceived. A loud noise, or bright light will be noticed more than a soft sound ,or dim light. Size: Principle of size says that the larger the object, the more likely it will be perceived. The largest machine “sticks out” when personnel view a factory floor.  Repetition: Repetition principle states that a repeated external stimulus is more attention- getting than a single one. , repetition increases our sensitivity or alertness to the stimulus”. Thus, a worker will generally “hear” better when directions for a dull task are given more than once. This principle partially explains why supervisors have to give directions over and over again for even the simplest of tasks. Motion: The motion principle says that people will pay more attention to moving objects in their field of vision than they will to stationary objects. Novelty and Familiarity This principle states that either a novel or a familiar external situation can serve as an attention getter. This principle helps the managers to change the worker jobs from time to time, because it will increase the attention they give to their jobs. For example: A familiar face on a crowded railway platform will immediately catch attention  Contrast An object which contrasts with the surrounding environment is more likely to be noticed than the object which blends in the environment. For example: In a room if there are twenty men and one woman will be noticed first because of the contrast. B)Internal Factors: (The Perceiver characteristics) The factors that influence the perception of an individual internally are attitudes, moods, motives, interest, expectations learning. Attitudes: The perceiver's attitudes affect perception. For example, suppose Mr. X is interviewing candidates for a very important position in his organization –a position that requires negotiating contracts with suppliers, most of whom are male. Mr X may feel that women are not capable of holding their own in tough negotiations. This attitude will doubtless affect his perceptions of the female candidates he interviews.  Moods: Moods can have a strong influence on the way we perceive someone. We think differently when we are happy than we do when we are depressed. When in a positive mood, we form more positive impression of others. When in a negative mood, we tend to evaluate others unfavorably. Motives: Unsatisfied needs or motives stimulate individuals and may exert a strong influence on their perceptions. For example: a hungry person will be more sensitive to the smell or sight of food than a non-hungry person Interest: The focus of our attention appears to be influenced by our interests. Because our individual interests differ considerably, what one person notices in a situation can differ from what others perceive Expectations: Finally, expectations can distort perceptions in that people will see what they expect to see. If they see the object and the situation differently from their expectations, they get frustrated. Phase 3: Organizing: How we understand this process of organization comes from gestalt theory. Gestalt is German for “pattern” or “shape,” and the theory asserts that we essentially process stimuli by blending external stimuli with internal processes, In essence, how we perceive the external world is heavily determined by internal influences and based on innate and learned cognitive patterns. To break this down further, we will look at how we organize stimuli through grouping them on the basis of their similarity, proximity, closure, continuity  Principle of similarity: The principle of similarity states that when things appear to be similar to each other, we group them together. And we also tend to think they have the same function  Principle of proximity: The principle of proximity states that things that are close together appear to be more related than things that are spaced farther apart.  Principle of closure: When you see an image that has missing parts, your brain will fill in the blanks and make a complete image so you can still recognize the pattern  Principle of continuity: The principle of continuity states that elements that are arranged on a line or curve are perceived to be more related than elements not on the line or curve. Phase 4: Interpretation Once we have selected what to pay attention to, we organize it into a preconceived pattern or category, and then we interpret its meaning. This is essentially the outcome of our perceptions. Though all the stages in this process are important, this last stage will serve as the tangible consequence of this process, Interpretation means forming an idea about a particular object. or assigning meaning to the information we have selected. For instance, Randy thinks a man running down the sidewalk hurries because he is late, but Sandra infers that the man is chasing someone. Discussion Questions: 1- The process by which one screens, selects, organizes, and interprets stimuli to give them meaning refers to….. a. Sensation b. Perception. c. Organization d. Evaluation 2- Perception does lead to an accurate portrait of the environment, influenced by the needs, desires, values, and disposition of the perceiver. a. True b. False. 3- The perceptual process follows a series of steps which starts with an exposure to stimuli and ends with an interpretation of the stimuli. a. True. b. False 4- Novelty and Familiarity are factors that influence the perception of an individual internally. a. True b. False 5- Attention is the ……. stage in the perceptual process a. First b. Second c. Third d. Fourth 6-The previous figure illustrates any of the principles of Gestalt theory a. The principle of similarity b. The principle of proximity c. The principle of closure. d. The principle of continuity