Title: 2.4 Improving Perception – Interpersonal Communication Textbook
Headings: 2.4 Improving Perception
2.4 Improving Perception
Learning Objectives
Overcoming Barriers to our Perceptions/Perceiving Others
Develop Empathetic Listening Skills
Beware of Stereotypes and Prejudice
Engage in Self-Reflection
Checking Perception
Perception Checking Steps
Improving Self Concept
Avoid Reliance on Rigid Schema
Be Critical of Socializing Forces
Beware of Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
Create and Maintain Supporting Interpersonal Relationships
Beware of Distorted Patterns of Thinking and Acting
Key Takeaways
Exercises

Content: Now we will turn to a discussion of how to improve our perception. Our self-perception can be improved by becoming aware of how schema, socializing forces, self-fulfilling prophecies, and negative patterns of thinking can distort our ability to describe and evaluate ourselves. How we perceive others can be improved by developing better listening and empathetic skills, becoming aware of stereotypes and prejudice, developing self-awareness through self-reflection, and engaging in perception checking. Overcoming Barriers to our Perceptions/Perceiving Others
There are many barriers that prevent us from competently perceiving others. While some are more difficult to overcome than others, they can all be addressed by raising our awareness of the influences around us and committing to monitoring, reflecting on, and changing some of our communication habits. Whether it is our lazy listening skills, lack of empathy, or stereotypes and prejudice, various filters and blinders influence how we perceive and respond to others. Develop Empathetic Listening Skills
As we will learn in Chapter 5 “Listening”, effective listening is not easy, and most of us do not make a concerted effort to overcome common barriers to listening. Our fast-paced lives and cultural values that emphasize speaking over listening sometimes make listening feel like a chore. But we shouldn’t underestimate the power of listening to make someone else feel better and to open our perceptual field to new sources of information. Empathetic listening can also help us expand our self- and social awareness by learning from other people’s experiences and taking on different perspectives.