COMM1010 - Lecture 3 - Perception, Identity and Culture

Selective attention

We only notice only part of what’s around
us, and two people may walk away with very different
details from the same conversation. This is called….

cultural frames

Our cultural background shapes how we
interpret messages—what feels clear in one place may
feel confusing in another. This is called …..

Past experiences

The things we’ve lived through = …….. - set
expectations for how we understand communication with
others. 

Misuderstanding is common

____ is common as interaction often breaks down when we assume our perception is the same as everyone else’s.

filtered messages

We never receive communication “as it is” - we …. words and signals through our own lenses to create …. ………

different realities

2 people can share the same interaction but walk away with completely different interpretations because they have different _

relationships

Perception affects _ as how we view others influences trust, connection and conflict. 

check assumptions

Communication improves when we pause to clarify what we think we understood, it means we should …. ….

selection, organization and interpretation

What are the steps in the perception process?

choose what cues to notice and ignore others

What we do in the selection step in perception process? (2)

arrange cues into patterns in the way that makes sense to us

What do we do in the organization step in the perception process? (1)

assign meaning to patterns

What do we do in the interpretation step in the perception process?

culture and experience

What may influence our interpretation in the perception process?

physiological filters

Our senses, body and health are _ that affect how we take in communication.

Psychological states

Mood, emtion and stress are _ that shape how we interpret messages.

personality and traits

….. and ………. shape individual differences that guide how we engage in communication.

respond to others 

The physiological and psychological factors in perception influence not just perception but how we _ _ _ 

shape our interactions

Physiological, psychological factors in perception …. our …. as they influence not just perception but how we respond to others. 

Culture

_ teaches us what communication cues to notice and how to interpret them. 

filter

Culture as a ….. teaching us what communication cues to notice and how to interpret them.

Behaviors

_ can carry opposite meanings across cultures.

norms

different _, different meanings: behaviors can carry opposite meanings across cultures. 

identity and belonging

Culture shapes how we see ourselves and othes in interaction, which mean culture shapes our _ and ………

bridging differences

Awareness of cultural frames helps communicators _ if they adapt messages effectively

language,

religion,

education,

aesthetics, 

law and politics

tech and material culture

social organisation

values and attitudes

What are 8 elements in cultural framework?

thought

Language shapes _ as words don’t just describe reality but also influence how we perceive it.

influence how we perceive it

Language shapes thought as words don’t just describe reality, they _

frames identity

Labels _ _ as the names we give people and groups shape how they are seen and treated. 

distort and mislead

Labels simplify communication but they often _ and …….

Stereotypes and shortcuts

Labels create _ and ….., which simplify communication but they often distort and mislead. 

include, exclude, empower, harm

The power of communication is that choosing words carefully can (4) 

group memberships

Age, gender, class and ethinicity are _

social identity

_ shapes perception as group memberships guide how we see ourselves and others. 

power and status

People with higher .. and … often have their perceptions valued more in comm.

in groups and out groups

We perceive people differently depending on whether we see them as …. or ……….

attribution theory

_ is when we explain others’ behavior by guessing causes - but we often get it wrong. 

fundamental attribution error

_ error is when we overvalue personal traits and undervalue context when judging others. 

self-serving bias

_ bias is when we interpret our own behavior more generously than others’ behavior. 

misattributions

bias shapes communication in which _ can escalate conflict and damage relationships

framing

When media highlight certain aspects of reality and downplay others, it is engaging in _

cultivation theory

_ says that heavy media exposure shapes our long term worldview and expectations. 

Critical awareness

_ means recognizing frames helps us become more thoughtful communicators

simplify

Stereotypes _ but distort because we use shortcuts to interpret people, but they often mislead

first impressions

_ stick as early judgements shape how later communication is perceived. 

stereotypes

Media reinforces _ as repeated portrayals affect how groups are seen and treated.

fairer interaction

Challenging stereotypes opens space for _

conflict

Perception fuels _ as misunderstandings often come from differenet interepretations, not intent. 

Conflict theories

The _ says misaligned frames, goals or values shape disputes.

perception-checking

When we do _, it is asking, clarifying, and verifying, all of which prevent escalation

constructive

When communicators check perceptions, confilcts becom more _

consequences

Perception carry _ because how we see others influence how we treat them.

ethical

_ communication matters because fairness, honesty and respct guide perception and response. 

bias and blind spots

unchecked perceptions are _ and ….. that can reinforce exclusion or harm

Inclusive

_ practices build trust, so responsible communicators actively check and expand perceptions. 

pause before reacting

_ is a strategy for improving perception, in which we slow downto avoid jumping to biased conclusion. 

seek multiple perspectives

_ is a strategy for improving perception, in which people ask questions and listen to broaden understanding. 

practice empathy

_ is a strategy for improving perception, in which we try to imagine the situation from the other person’s point of view. 

reflect on your filters

_ is a strategy for improving perception, in which you notice how your own background shapes what you perceive.