Perception, Values and

Self-Awareness (1)
Session 3
 What is Perception?

YOUR
interpretation of reality
after information/stimuli is
 What is Perception?

Filtered out
Selected
Organized
Defined
.using YOUR existing
 What is Perception?

Knowledge
Needs
Beliefs
Values
Assumptions
Attitudes.
 Purpose of
Perception Process

1.Simplify information for

processing

2. Decrease distress/discomfort from

particular stimuli.
The Perceptual Process
Environmental Stimuli

Feeling Hearing Seeing Smelling Tasting

From Self Awareness by McShane &

Von Glinow, Organizational Behavior
The Perceptual Process
Environmental Stimuli

Feeling Hearing Seeing Smelling Tasting

Selective Attention

From Self Awareness by McShane &

Von Glinow, Organizational Behavior
The Perceptual Process
Environmental Stimuli

Feeling Hearing Seeing Smelling Tasting

Selective Attention

Perceptual Organization

From Self Awareness by McShane &

Von Glinow, Organizational Behavior
The Perceptual Process
Environmental Stimuli

Feeling Hearing Seeing Smelling Tasting

Selective Attention

Perceptual Organization

Emotions and Behavior

From Self Awareness by McShane &
Von Glinow, Organizational Behavior
The Perceptual Process
Environmental Stimuli

Feeling Hearing Seeing Smelling Tasting

Selective Attention Individuals

Values
and Beliefs
Perceptual Organization

Emotions and Behavior

From Self Awareness by McShane &
Von Glinow, Organizational Behavior
 Perceptual Blocks:
Mental Models

Deletion (selective perception)

Construction (creative perception)
Distortion
Generalization
Steps to
Minimize Perceptual Pitfalls
Heighten self-awareness
Reflect on reactions
Listen actively
Practice empathy
Check assumptions
Acknowledge and accept differences
Delay judgments
 Perceptual Blocks and
Self-Awareness

Q: Why is self-awareness important?

A: Understanding WHO you are and

WHAT you feel are the first
steps towards
 Perceptual Blocks and
Self-Awareness

Correcting your weaknesses and

enhancing your strengths.
Sending intended messages more

accurately.
Understanding others better.
 Johari Window
Get Feedback
Known to Self Unknown to Self

Known to Others
Open Blind
Disclose
Unknown to

Hidden Unknown
Others

Named after creators Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham

 Johari Window
Get Feedback
Known to Self Unknown to Self
Known to Others

Open Blind
Disclose
Unknown
to Others

Hidden Unknown

Named after creators Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham

 Guidelines for Meaningful
Disclosure

Be cautious!
Dont reveal too much, too fast, too
soon!
(Look at handout for details)
 The Ladder of Inference
Action

Conclusions &
Assumptions

Added Cultural &

Personal Meaning

Selected
Data
Observable
Data
From The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook, by
Peter Senge et al, Doubleday 1994
Ladder of Inference #1
Ladder of Inference #2
Ladder of Inference: The Boss
Action I quit!

Boss is scared of me. He gave my

Conclusions & subordinate a raise without consulting
Assumptions me to undermine me.

Added Cultural & Boss feels threatened. Maybe thats

Personal Meaning why he never takes action.

Boss heard about my conversation with

Selected Manager. Now hes worried about his job.
Data

Observable I talked to Manager about my ideas.

Data
Step 7 Take action based on these
beliefs

Step 6 Adapt your beliefs about the world

STEP 5 Make conclusions based on

assumptions

STEP 4 Make assumptions based on

added meanings

STEP 3 Add meanings to data (cultural

and personal)

STEP 2 Select some data from what was

observed

STEP 1 Observe data and experiences