HROB 2090 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Fundamental Attribution Error

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Human Resources and Organizational Behaviour
• Course: HROB 2090
• Professor: H O S S A I N

Document Summary

Perception: the process of interpreting the messages of our senses to provide order and meaning to our surrounding environments. People base their actions on the interpretation of reality and their perceptual system provides, rather then on reality itself. (3) components: a perceiver, a target being perceived, and some situational context. Each one of those component influences the perceivers impression or interpretation of the target. The perceiver: past experiences lead the perceiver to develop expectations that affect current perceptions. Needs unconsciously influence perceptions by causing us to perceive what we wish to perceive. Emotions such as anger, happiness, or fear, can influence our perceptions. Some incorporate perceptual defense, meaning the tendency for the perceptual system to defend the perceiver against unpleasant emotions. The target: ambiguous targets are especially susceptible to interpretation and the addition of meaning. The perceiver does not or cannot use all the information provided by the target. Reducing ambiguity may not be accompanied by greater accuracy.