Perception of SelfPerception of OthersThe Perception Process1. How we handle perception of others: a. First we select what we can handle1. Repetitious or ‘loud’ stimuli 2. We have motives 3. We omit information 4. We oversimplification b. Then we organize by using a perceptual schema. 1. We organize people by physical constructs2. Role constructs 3. Interaction constructs – focus on social behavior4. Psychological constructs5. This helps us form impressions of others and make generalizations. How does schemata help us? When have you been wrong? When has someone else been wrong about you???2. What is a stereotype? Categorizing others on the basis of easily recognized, but not necessarily significant characteristics. 3. What is punctuation? Determination of causes and effects in a series of interactions. a. A person not calling back after a first date. b. A student who copies test answers from the student next to him. c. A waitress giving you lousy service. d. A child who beats up on other kids. Do we punctuate situations too quickly? How do we stereotype based on our “first impressions”?4. Discuss interpretation. a. Our degree of involvement with the person. Why does a person not calling back after a date hurt, but a waitress giving us lousy service is simply annoying? b. Relational satisfaction – why are we so fickle? Why do we give up so easily? Why are we willing to blame our partners so quickly? Mirroring may solve this. c. Past experiences – how much do we apply our background to current situations. Does this work? d. Assumptions – what are yours? Do you view people as generally good or rotten? e. Expectations – are yours realistic? “My expectations have nothing to do with you.” f. Knowledge of others – if you hear an instructor is rude to all students, you won’t take his/her actions personally. g. Personal moods – what do you perceive when you are angry versus when you are happy? What happens to your rationale during these various moods?5. Attribution – we attach meaning to behavior. She didn’t make eye contact with me… she must not like me. But there are degrees of this process: 1. Do we judge ourselves kinder than we do others? 2. What is a self-fulfilling prophecy? Does this work, or is it meant as protection? 3. Why are we so influenced by the obvious? 4. Why do we cling to first impressions? 5. Why do we assume that others are like us? Why do we need for others to be like us?6. Why does it make us feel better when we cling to negative impressions? 7. We judge ourselves more charitably than others.8. We blame innocent victims for their misfortunes.6. What is perception checking? 1. Describe the behavior that was noticed. 2. Choose two possible interpretations for the action. 3. Request clarification. What happens the minute you use the word “you”?What is the difference between empathy and sympathy? What is required to build empathy? a. open-mindedness – step outside of your ‘box’ and really listen. b. imagination – imagine how the other person feels!c. commitmentHow can we perceive others more accurately? Perception checking? Complete perception check has three parts – 1. describe the behavior2. two possible interpretations3. request for clarification how to interpret the behavior. Do we do this? What would happen if we did? Building EmpathyWhat does empathy mean? Recreate another person’s perspective to experience the world from his or her point of view. What is the difference between sympathy and empathy? Do instructors build empathy? Book example. Do bosses build empathy? Research suggests that the ability to empathize may be hereditary. Do you agree?Recipient of your empathy has great rewards: 1. Increased self-esteem2. Comfort Giver1. Altruism – good will, kindness – you helped another person. You didn’t jump to conclusions!2. Increased understanding of another person. You don’t have to ACCEPT the other person’s behavior, but identifying with it is a first step. 3. Relational development4. Predict future behaviors – will help you identify what people are really going through. Empathy and criminal behavior – why is this so important?Perception of Self1. At what age do you believe the self-concept develops?2. Reflected Appraisal – how you perceive the way others judge you. How are labels a part of reflected appraisal? How is your self-concept affected by reflected appraisal? 3. Social comparison – we evaluate ourselves in terms of how we compare with others. How much do we do this? Do women really measure themselves against supermodels?4. If you compare yourself with an inappropriate reference group, you may feel ordinary or inferior. How much does this happen? We judge ourselves more charitably than we judge others! Agree?????5. Self-monitoring- *High self-monitors can adjust their communication style to create a desired impression for others. They are good actors. They handle social situations well and put others at ease. They are chameleon-like. * Low self-monitors simple focused ideas of who they are and that is the self that they present. Narrow repertoire of behaviors. Easier to read. “What you see is what you get!” Straight-forward communicators. 6. Characteristics of self-concept – 1. The self concept is subjective. You can wake up feeling good about yourself and then feel terrible by the end of the day. We are also tentative about the good thingswe do well. Why are we programmed to downplay our accomplishments?2. A healthy self-concept is flexible. How have you been flexible with the way you feel about yourself? When have you cut yourself a break. 3. The self-concept resists change. Book states that after the late 20s, we’re resistant to change our self-concept. Why? Cognitive conservatism – we tend to seek information that conforms to an existing self-concept.What is self-esteem? What is the difference between self-concept and self-esteem? How much does our “baggage” reflect our self-esteem? How easy is it to change based on our past?7. How does your self-concept affect your professional life? 8. 1. Have a realistic perception of yourself – categorize things that people say about you. Remember their expectations have nothing to do with you!2. Have realistic expectations of yourself. 3. Have the will to change4. Have the skill to change – counselors, instructors, books, observe models – peoplewho behave in a manner that you like.Save for activity…9. Presenting