Speech 1311 - Chapter II - Connecting Perception and Communication

Selective Retention

The processing, storing, and retrieving of information that we have already selected, organized, and interpreted

Competent communicators do these things to check their perceptions

1. Separate fact from assumptions 2. Recognize personal biases 3. Remember that perceptions, especially first impressions, are not always accurate. 4. Recognize that people from different cultural backgrounds to not always attach the same meanings to events, object, and people 5. Remember that perceptions are a function of the perceiver, the perceived, and the situation in which the perception occurs 6. Don't be afraid to communicate to verify your perceptions 7. Be willing to admit misperceptions and to change them when necessary

Fundamental Attribution Error

Perceiving others as acting as they do because they are "that kind of person" rather than because of any external factors that may have influenced their behavior

Perceptual Set

A fixed, previously determined view of events, objects, or people.

Ethnocentrism

A learned belief that our own culture is superior to all others

Culture

A set of interpretations about beliefs, values, norms, and social practices that affect behaviors of a relatively large group of people.

Gender

A socially constructed concept related to masculine and feminine traits.

What actions can one take to become a more competent perceiver?

Accurately interpret and check your perceptions to improve communication responses. Seek out information, be aware that perceptions are not the same for everyone, know that facts are objective and inferences are subjective, it is possible that other differing perceptions are valid and it is always wise to carefully check your perceptions,

Interpretation

Assigning of meaning to stimuli.

What are the three ways we Organize and categorize the stimuli around us?

Closure, Proximity, and Similarity

Closure

Filling in of details so that a partially received entity appears to be complete

Selective Attention

Focusing on a specific message while ignoring or downplaying other stimuli

What are the four different ways stimuli is interpreted?

Interpretation based on... Past experience, New Situations, Others Opinions, Verbal Communication

Perception Process

Perception involves selecting, organizing, and interpreting. 1. Selection is the process of mentally sorting one thing from another. 2. Organization is the categorizing of stimuli so that we can make sense of them. 3. Interpretation is assigning meaning to stimuli.

What are the seven reasons why people may perceive the same situation in different ways?

Perceptual Set, attribution errors, physical characteristics, psychological state, cultural backgrounds, gender, and media

What are the three types of selections that occur in the perception process?

Selective Exposure, Selective Attention, and Selective Retention

Selection

Sorting of one stimulus from another

Organization

Sorting, organizing, or categorizing stimuli

Stereotyping

The categorizing of events, objects, and people without regard to unique individual characteristics and qualities.

Attribution

The complex process through which we attempt to understand the reason behind others behaviors

Selective Exposure

The deliberate choices we make to experience or avoid particular stimuli

Similarity

The grouping of stimuli that resemble one another in size, shape, color, or other traits

Proximity

The grouping of two or more stimuli that are close to one another

Perception

The process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting information to give personal meaning to the communication we receive. It lies at the heart of the communication process and is a part of everything we do.