Lecture Notes: Perception Process in Communication

Overview of Perception

• Definition: Perception is the process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting information.
• Impact on Communication: Influences how we respond to people and objects based on our perception.
• Process: Involves filtering large amounts of information through perceptual filters and forming social realities.

Selecting Information

• Five Senses: Information intake through senses; brains prioritize due to overwhelming stimuli.
• Salience: Degree of attention attraction in context; influenced by visual/auditory stimulation, needs/interests, and expectations.
  • Example: Bright light at night or cultural identity in specific contexts.

Organizing Information

• Schemata: Cognitive patterns to sort/categorize information.
  • Types:
    • Prototypes: Ideal examples of categories (e.g., "ideal friend").
    • Personal Construct: Measurement based on generalization (e.g., categorizing by stereotypes).
    • Stereotyping: Generalization prediction; often inaccurate.
    • Scripts: Activity sequences for expected behavior (e.g., greetings, dating).
• Influence: Different environments and openness to new ideas impact perception.

Interpreting Information

• Interpretation: Assigning meaning using schemata, combining information units.
• Schema Development: Starts early (e.g., education, social roles) and adapts over time.
  • Reevaluation: Can be stressful but promotes cognitive complexity.
  • Adaptation: Necessary for communication competence.
• Behavior Impact: Interpretations guide behavior and interactions.
  • Example: Group project roles based on perceived traits.
• Cultural Influence: Perception influenced by culture, occupation, and social factors.

Summary of Perception Process

• Key Components: Selecting, organizing, interpreting.
• Salience: Influences selection; visually/audibly stimulating, needs, interests.
• Organization: Patterns based on proximity, similarity, difference.
• Interpretation: Uses accumulated knowledge/experience.
• Cognitive Complexity: Updating schemata for improved functioning in communication.