Communications Test Review Chapter 2 –

Perception

Word Definitions

Perception – The process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting information in

order to give personal meaning to the communication we receive.

Cognitive complexity - Explains how our minds process and store simple to
complex information.

Stimulus – Something that incites or quickens action, feeling, or thought.

Selection – Sorting of one stimulus from another.

Selective exposure – The deliberate choices we make to experience or to avoid

particular stimuli.

Selective attention – Focusing on specific stimuli while ignoring or downplaying

other stimuli.

Selective retention – Processing, storing and retrieving of information that we

have already selected, organized and interpreted.

Organization – Categorizing of stimuli in our environment in order to make sense

of them.

Closure – Filling in of details so that a partially percieved entity appears to be

complete.

Proximity – The grouping of two or more stimuli that are close to one another.

Similarity – The grouping of stimuli that resemble one another in terms of physical
traits.

Interpretation – Assigning meaning to stimuli.

Perceptual set – A fixed, previously determined view of events, objects, or people

Perceptual filter - Your frame of reference (influenced by previous experiences)

that molds your world view – peers, religion, culture, etc.

Stereotyping – The categorizing of events, objects, and people without regard to

unique individual characteristics or qualities.

Attribution – The complex process through which we attempt to understand the

reasons behind others’ behaviors.
 Attribution error – Percieving others as acting as they do because they are “that
kind of person” rather than because of any external favors that may have
influenced their behavior.

Culture – Learned behaviors that are communicated from one generation to

another to promote individual and social survival.

Ethnocentric – A person whose pride in his or her heritage or background leads to

the conviction that he or she knows more and is better than those of other
countries.

Cultural myopia – Percieving one’s own culture as superior and having a very
narrow view of cultures other than your own.

Cultural relativism – Taking on a broader worldview and opening our minds to

different cultures as merely being different and not judging them as inferoir
because they are different.

Gender – A social construct related to masculine and femenine behaviors that are
learned.

The Perception Process

MRSOI – Memory Recall: Stimuli, Organization, Interpretation

Stimuli – We make delivery choices. Stimuli are developed on our needs,

interests and expectations. Our reaction to stimuli is based on retention of past
events.

Organization – Sorting or categorizing all the experiences of your life. Linked

directly to closure, proximity, and similarities.

Interpretation – Percieving things inaccurately based on opinions of others.

Accuracy vs. inaccuracy. Influenced by current and past experiences. Use your
intellect over your emotion – do not react – act. Reverse the process and fix your
interpretation of a situation.

Racism, ageism, sexism – replace with wisdom.