Lesson 2 Perception

Perception is the process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting information considered valuable enough to give importance and meaning to something that we receive. Basically, we isolate specific characteristics we deem important, assign them some type of label, and then store the information in our memory banks (this becomes our “perceptual truth”).

The reason we use perception is because there is an unlimited amount of information out there and we could not function if we were to take in all we see, hear, smell, touch and taste. We have to decide is meaningful, important and vital to what it is we are trying to accomplish (i.e. what we want).

Perception is done through a the three “selective” processes:

1. Selective exposure- the choices we make to experience or avoid consequences or experiences.

2. Selective attention- where we focus on some things while ignoring other critical information (concentrate on what you wish to remember).

3. Selective retention- where we only retain what we interpret as important or satisfactory to us (agrees with our views and forget what does not).

Once we have decided what information to store, we must then organize the information so we can have access to them. This is important because it is how we perceive and create communication, and how we expand knowledge of people, events and objects to make life more pleasant and rewarding. 

We are creatures of order, especially by how we “see” the world. We are always trying to make sense of what we “perceive” so we can make decisions on how to live and interact with others.

As humans, we want to be happy, but we must often LEARN TO BE HAPPY! This “learning to be happy” is done by learning how we perceive and use information. THINK ABOUT IT.

So when we are “perceiving” new information we need to organize the information in the following way:

1. Have a plan of what we want (a vision). To quote a scripture from the bible, “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” (Proverbs 29:18). Having a plan when it comes to organizing what you perceive is a must in order to succeed or communicate. It also allows you to create a framework to store newly acquired information. 

IMPORTANT- Perceptions place blinders on ALL information, so try to diminish pre-conceived notions when getting new information.

2. Closure. We use a closure to fill in missing pieces of information. Of course that information we are using to fill in the “gaps” is often biased or ignorant. An example of this is when you see a homeless person on the streets begging form money. You don’t know their situation and why they are begging for money, but you “fill in the gaps” with preconceived information stored and come to a conclusion why he is begging (to get beer or drugs). 

3. Proximity and Similarity. Proximity is grouping things that are close to each other (i.e. because you are hanging out with “those” kind of people, you are one of those people—hmm, maybe mom was right when she told me to choose my friends wisely). Similarity is grouping things that resemble each other in color, size, shape or other traits (i.e. I love golf and if you love golf then you “probably” resemble me in other ways).

Part of that organizing process is also the interpretation of the information. You are assigning meaning to stored information via your personal experiences and opinions. As stated earlier, you must be careful not to let selective perceptions dictate interpretations at expense of missing critical information.

Good Communicators know that every issue has many sides (this is what we call critical thinking). Good communicators also know that others often influence or alter what we interpret (again, must use critical thinking).

Let me share with you what is termed “Perceptual Quicksand”

• We gather information using our senses and store it for future use, and we place interpretations on information to govern our behavior, habits, likes, dislikes and activities to provide pleasure and satisfaction. Problems occur when we use improper perception processes (selectivity), which can be a quicksand for success as a good communicator.
• We use stereotyping to assume a category defines something without regard for uniqueness and particular characteristics.
• We often have “expectations” of some event or information that gets in the way of the “facts.” We often determine ahead of time what the new information means to us before we have fully gathered or understood that information. 
• We use “time blinding” or “frozen evaluations” to make decisions without regard for change.
• We use our cultural background (race, national origin, social/educational class and religious pre-conceptions) to make “biased” decisions.
• We often use gender stereotyping (male or female) to make “biased” decisions.
• There is the “Hollywood Effect” being used in media to “twist” our views and perceptual process.

Good communicators must have a good understanding of perception and how it influences each of our decisions. There are many factors that are used to make up our perception, and just like a snow-flake, no two perceptions are completely the same. 

Questions (Answer one of the following questions)

1. Do you agree with the statement that we must learn to be happy? Why or why not. How does perception change the way we feel? How can perception change our “happiness level?”

2. How can changing your perception help you in your business and personal life?