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Learning Unit 2 Perceptions (Stereotypes (One of the strongest influences…
Learning Unit 2
Perceptions
Attribution
We try to make sense of peoples behaviour with attribution
Attribution
: Interpreting other peoples behaviour by attributing it to some cause- when someone behaves in a certain way, we look for a reason for the behaviour
These attributions are often inaccurate
We tend to apply double standards in our attributions- the reasons we give for our behaviour often differs from the reason we give for other people behaving in the same way
Our behaviour :
We attribute our negative behaviour to external factors
eg. I'm irritable because I'm having a bad day
We are lenient when interpreting the behaviour of people we like
eg. My best friend slammed the phone down- someone must of upset her
We attribute our success to ourselves and our abilities
eg. My boss gave me good feedback on my work- I knew I did good work
Others' behaviour
We attribute other people's negative behaviour to internal factors
eg. You're irritable because you're a moody person
We are less lenient when interpreting the behaviour of people we don't like
eg. That person just slammed the phone down- how rude of them
We attribute our failures to external factors
eg. My boss tore my word apart- she's too critical, nothing is good enough for her
Social roles
A relationship from which you communicate with another person
eg. A friend, a parent, a boyfriend, etc.
Our perceptions of other people are strongly affected by their social roles in a given context
Any role carries certain expectations according to which you should behave
The extent to which a person fulfills these expectations will determine how positively/negatively you perceive them
eg. If you believe a man should be a good provider to his family, and you meet a man who isn't, you may then have a negative perception of him as a husband/father
To understand someone we need to remember that they are more than one thing, not just a boss, but also a father, spouse, etc
Stereotypes
One of the strongest influences on our perception of other people
A stereotype is a mistaken idea or belief many people have about a thing or group that is based upon how they look on the outside
All stereotypes have a descriptive and evaluative component
Descriptive component
- Where we describe a group of people as having a particular trait
Evaluative component
- Where we view that particular trait as more socially desirable or undesirable in various degrees
Stereotypes:
eg. Blondes are dumb
eg. Woman can't drive
eg. Criminals are men
Stereotypes
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Stereotyping on the grounds of culture and race
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Stereotyping on the grounds of gender
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Stereotyping on the grounds of age
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Stereotyping on the grounds of physical disability
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Stereotyping on the grounds of physical appearance
Improving perceptual skills
Perceptual skills are closely linked to our communication skills
1. Recognise that your perceptions are fallible
Recognise your perspective on a situation is not the only valid one- be open to alternative interpretations
2. Try to be objective
Don't allow your frame of reference to influence you- detach yourself from your perspective
3. Give others the benefit of the doubt
There is a context for every situation and you might not have information about the context- do not assume things
4. Verify your perceptions
Check the accuracy of your perceptions- if someone's behaviour doesn't make sense to you, look for more information to explain it