Perceptions of the Mind

What do you notice in this puzzle?

What is perception? Perception is the process of experiencing our

world & making sense out of what we experience.

From a communication aspect, perception deals with making sense of the world and sharing that sense with others.

Interpersonal perception is the process by which we decide what people are like and give meaning to their actions.

How does perception affect your everyday relationships?

FamilySchoolSportsFriendsNeighbors

What do you see here?

Most of the time we are unaware of our perceptions.

Standpoint theory: we each see the world differently depending on our position.

Perception helps reduce errors which leads to effective problem solving, increased self esteem, and more satisfying relationships.

Stages of Perception 1. Selecting

Selective Perception: directing attention to specific stimuli & consequently ignoring other stimuli

2. OrganizingClosure: filling in the missing information. We all organize information differently. This

accounts for why some of you do not see the baby right away.

3. Interpreting Our minds automatically make sense of the

information.

2 Types of Perception

Passive Perception: perception that occurs just because your senses are in operation (that’s it).

Active Perception: perception that occurs because you seek out specific information through intentional observation and questioning.

What do you see in this picture?

Self-Serving Bias…

Self-Serving Bias: the tendency to perceive our own behavior as more positive than other’s behavior.

Why is this man playing music to a bunch of houses?

Barriers to accuracy: Ignoring Information Oversimplifying Stereotyping Focusing on the Negative Having Self-Serving Bias

Sources Beebe, Steven A. Interpersonal Communication.

Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2005. www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/ illusion/illusions24.htm www.psiguy.com/ Humor/mind.html http://www.scientificpsychic.com/graphics/ http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro04/web1/

gzekavat.html www.users.tinyworld.co.uk/ giggles/Optical

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