“Only a small portion of reality, for a human being, is what is going on; the greater part is what he imagines in connection with the sights and sounds of the moment.” – Suzanne LangerWant to be a more effective communicator? Look at how you perceive your interactions. Show
Effective communication requires self-reflection and commitment to change.Think about the relationship between perception, language, and behavior and how those influence each other and shape your reality. You might gain new insight into how people perceive and navigate their world. Interpersonal Communication: Everyday Encounters (8th ed.), author Julia Wood details the process of perception and defines it as an “active process of creating meaning by selecting, organizing, and interpreting people, objects, events, situations, and activities” (Wood, 2016). The following scenario highlights this idea: Imagine two people, Person A and Person B. Person A tends to be very negative and looks at the world as a place rife with mistrust. This person believes that everyone is “out for themselves.” This dim view becomes reinforced because now that Person A is predisposed to that belief, he notices numerous examples that support his worldview. He notices every car that cuts him off in traffic, each person that does not hold the door open and each time (real or perceived) he feels slighted by his colleagues. If you follow this example through, you might guess that Person A probably has a more difficult time negotiating their daily life. In contrast, Person B tends to be very positive with a healthy outlook on life. She deeply believes that people are good and are always ready to lend a helping hand. During her day she notices, and appreciates, the person who picked up her books when she dropped them, the man who let her go before him in the grocery line, and the woman who let her into a wall of traffic. If you follow this example through, you might guess that Person B is much more positive and you may find that life seems to be a bit easier for this person. Scenario In extending the car example, the connection between perception, language and behavior becomes clear: Person A
Person B
This example highlights the direct connection between what you think, what you say, and how you behave. In each case, it is evident that what each person perceived directly influenced both their language and behavior. Factors Affecting PerceptionHow one perceives the world is a combination of factors, such as self-esteem, self-concept, and learned values. Wood (2016) notes that “our perceptions are shaped by who we are and what experiences we have had. Thus, interpersonal perceptions reflect both what is inside of us and what is outside of us.” She suggests these factors also influence perception:
Guidelines for Improving PerceptionEffective communicators understand the connection between perception, language, and behavior. Wood offers the following guidelines for improving perception:
For more information on how to improve your communication skills through perception, check out Wood’s book, Interpersonal communication: Everyday encounters. Reference: Wood, J. (2016). Interpersonal communication: Everyday encounters (3rd ed. Stamford, CT: Wadsworth.) What is understanding another person's needs and perceiving a situation from their perspective?Perspective-taking is the act of perceiving a situation or understanding a concept from an alternative point of view, such as that of another individual.
What is the process by which a person views the world by selecting organizing interpreting and evaluating information?Perception is the process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting information from our senses. Selection: Focusing attention on certain sights, sounds, tastes, touches, or smells in your environment.
What do we call the active process of selecting organizing and interpreting people objects events and situations?Perception is the process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting information. This process affects our communication because we respond to stimuli differently, whether they are objects or persons, based on how we perceive them.
Which of the following is a scenario resulting from a self fulfilling prophecy?Which of the following is a scenario resulting from a self-fulfilling prophecy? A person perceiving something after expecting that thing to happen.
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