1. University of Northern IA
Presentation prepared by:
Marilyn Shaw
University of Northern IA
This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law:
Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network;
Preparation of any derivative work, including extraction, in whole or in part, of any images;
Any rental, lease, or lending of the program.
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

2. Chapter 2 Connecting Perceptions and Communication
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

3. Perception and Communication
Perceptions are based on our experiences
Perception gives meaning to our communication
Perception influences how we communicate with others
Perception is a complex phenomenon
Photo from Ch 2, page 38
Michael Zito/ZUMA Press/Newscom
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

4. The Perception Process
Selection
Sorting one stimulus from another
Selective exposure
Selective attention
Selective retention
Organization
Sorting, organizing, categorizing
Closure
Proximity
Similarity
Interpretation
Based on past experience
Based on new situations
Based on opinions of others
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

5. Selection
Selective exposure: Deliberate choices in which stimuli we experience and which we avoid
Selective attention: Focusing on specific stimuli while ignoring or downplaying another
Selective retention: Processing, storing and retrieval of information we have already selected, organized and interpreted

6. Organization
Closure: Filling in details so a partial entity will seem complete. Filling the blanks of what we don’t know so that we have a more complete picture, even if the they are based on assumptions and pre-conceptions.
Proximity: Grouping of two or more stimuli that are close together.
Similarity: Grouping of stimuli that resemble one another in size, shape, or other traits.

7. Closure: What is it?
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

8. Which do you see?

9. Perceptual Differences: Other Influences
Cultural background
Gender
Media
Internet

10. Perceptual Differences
Perceptual set: fixed, previously determined view of events, objects, or people ignoring new information
Stereotyping: categorizing without regard to unique individual characteristics
Attribution error: Our perceptions are NOT always correct
Physical characteristics: Body size, ability to use our 5 senses, etc. affect our perceptions.
Psychological state: Our state of mind filters our perceptions.

11. Improving Perception Competencies and Perception Checking
Become an Active Perceiver
Recognize That Each Person’s Frame of Mind Is Unique
Distinguish Facts from Inferences
Become Aware of the Role of Perception in Communication
Keep an Open Mind
Perception Checking: Being a Competent Communicator
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

12. Guidelines for Competent Communicators
Separate facts from assumptions
Perceptions, especially first impressions, are not always accurate
Recognize your personal biases
People from different cultural backgrounds do not always attach the same meaning to events
Don’t be afraid to verify your perceptions
Admit misperceptions and change if needed
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.