Perception and Interpersonal Communication

Vocabulary flashcards related to perception and interpersonal communication concepts.

Perception

The process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting information.

Selective Perception

The tendency to focus on certain stimuli while ignoring others based on personal relevance.

Interpretation

The stage in the perception process where meaning is attached to selected and organized information.

Organizing

The cognitive stage in the perception process where received sensory information is categorized and made sense of.

Physiological Influences

Factors stemming from biological processes, such as sensory perception, age, health, and biological cycles, that affect our perception.

Psychological Influences

Internal mental states like mood and self-concept that affect how we perceive others and situations.

Social Influences

Factors such as gender roles and occupational roles that shape our perceptions of others.

Cultural Influences

The impact of cultural background and norms on how we interpret behaviors and communicate.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to attribute others' behaviors to internal factors rather than considering external situational influences.

Self-Serving Bias

A perceptual error where individuals attribute their successes to internal factors and their failures to external factors.

First Impressions

Initial perceptions that can strongly influence further interactions and judgments about a person.

Halo Effect

A cognitive bias where an initial positive impression leads to the perception of subsequent behaviors as positive.

Horns Effect

A cognitive bias where an initial negative impression leads to the perception of subsequent behaviors as negative.

Perception Checking

A communication strategy that involves verifying your perceptions and interpretations through clear communication.

Recency Effect

A cognitive bias where the most recent information about a person influences your perception more than earlier information.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to interpret new information in a way that confirms one’s existing beliefs or biases.

Standpoint Theory

A theory stating that individuals' perspectives are shaped by their social location and experiences.