How does perception affect interpersonal communication?
“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.) How does perception influence communication in interpersonal relationships?Our perceptions of others influence our own verbal and nonverbal behaviors when we are around those others. We choose what to communicate to others, how to interact with them, and what to present about ourselves based, at least in part, on our impressions of those others.
What is perception in intrapersonal communication?Perception: Perception is how people interpret what is going on around them. Perception can influence intrapersonal communication. Expectation: Expectations are based upon intrapersonal communication with one's own self, and are predictions of what will happen based on perceptions of what has happened.
How does perception influence interpersonal conflict?Perception plays an important role in conflict management because we are often biased in determining the cause of our own and others' behaviors in a conflict situation, which necessitates engaging in communication to gain information and perspective.
Why is understanding the perception process important in interpersonal relationships?The process of interpersonal perception is complex and often unconscious. Raising awareness of humans' common perceptual tendencies can help us become more competent communicators by becoming aware of our own common perceptual errors, and working to improve them.
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