PERCEPTION

DEFINITION

Perception is a process by which individuals organize and interpret sensory impressions in order to give meaning to their environment

SIGNIFICANCE OF PERCEPTION IN OB

What one perceives may be substantially different from objective reality. There need not be but there is often disagreement. Why is it significant to study perception in OB ? The reason is peoples behaviour is based on their perception of what reality is, not on reality itself. The world as it is perceived is the world that is behaviourly important.

FACTORS INFLUENCING PERCEPTION

1. Factors in the perceiver 2. Factors in the target 3. Factors in the situation

Factors in the perceiver - Attitudes - Motives - Interests - Experience - Expectations Factors in the target - Novelty - Motion - Sound - Size - Background

- Proximity - Similarity Factors in the situation - Time - Work setting - Social setting

PERSON PERCEPTIONMAKING JUDGEMENT ABOUT OTHERS

Our perception of people differ from our perception of inanimate objects. Inanimate objects are subject to laws of nature. People, like us, have beliefs, motives, intentions so we attempt to develop explanations of why they behave in the way they do, in the manner we do. Our perception and judgment of a person, therefore, are influenced by the assumptions we make about their internal state.

ATTRIBUTION THEORY

We judge people differently depending on what meaning we attribute to their behaviour When we observe an individuals behaviour we attempt to determine whether it is internally or externally caused. Internally caused behaviours are those that are believed to be under the personal control of the individual. Externally caused behaviour is seen to be resulting from external causes, e.g. behaviour forced by situation

Our determination depends on three factors - Distinctiveness i.e. whether individual shows different behaviours in different situations. If he does, attribution of cause is external; if not, it is internal. - Consensus i.e. if everyone who faces a similar situation responds in the same way the behaviour shows consensus. If individuals behaviour shows consensus behaviour attribution of cause is external; if not, it is internal. - Consistency i.e. the more consistent the behaviour the more it is attributed to internal causes.

FUNDAMENTAL ATTRIBUTION ERROR

The tendency to underestimate the influence of external factors like situation or circumstances and overestimate the influence of internal factors, for example, intelligence, ability, motivation, attitudes or personality, when we make judgment about the behaviours of others

SELF- SERVING BIAS

The tendency for individuals or organizations to present themselves favourably, to attribute their own successes to internal factors like ability, effort, etc. while putting the blame for their failures on external factors like bad luck, unproductive co-workers etc.

SHORTCUTS IN JUDGING OTHERS

1. Selective perception- Selectively interpreting what one sees on the basis of ones interests, background, experience and attitudes- HR perception about HR 2. Halo effect- Drawing a general impression about an individual on the basis of single characteristic- Performance Appraisal 3. Contrast effect- Evaluation of a persons characteristics that are affected by comparison by other people recently encountered who rank higher or lower on the same characteristics- Benchmarking

4. Projection- Attributing ones own characteristics to other people- Tribal People easily trusting others 5, Stereotyping- Judging someone on the basis of ones perception of the group to which that person belongs- 9/11

Applications of shortcuts in organizations - Employment Interview - Performance Expectations Self-fulfilling prophesy or Pygmalion effect for example telling people you are the best and they try to come to expectation - Ethnic profiling - Performance Appraisal

IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT

While social perception is concerned with how one individual perceives other individuals and attribution is how peple explain their own or others behaviour, impression management or self presentation is the process by which people attempt to manage or control the perception others form on them - impression motivation - impression construction

IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

For minimizing responsibility for some negative event demotion-preventive strategy is used 1. Accounts 2. Apologies 3. Disassociation

For maximizing responsibility for some positive outcome promotion enhancing strategy is used 1. Entitlements 2. Enhancements 3. Obstacle disclosures 4. Association

IMAGE BUIDING

William GardnerWhen selecting an image, never try to be something youre not. People will see through the faade. In sum, make every effort to put your best foot forward- but never at the cost of identity or integrity.