Define four of the nine perceptual distortions listed in the textbook and explain why it is important to have an understanding of perceptual distortions in general.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

*Stereotypes are an individual’s fixed beliefs about the characteristics of a particular group
*Selective Attention is the tendency to selectively focus on aspects of situations that are most aligned with
our own interests, values, and attitudes
*Halo Effect is a perception problem in which we form a positive or negative view of one aspect of an
individual based on our overall impressions of that person
*Primacy Effect is a perception problem in which an individual assesses a person quickly on the basis of
the first information encountered
*Recency Effect is a perception problem in which we use the most recent information available to assess
a person
*Contrast Effect takes place when people rank something higher or lower than they should as a result of
exposure to recent events or situations
*Projecting is a process in which people transfer their own thoughts, motivations, feelings, and desires to
others
*Self-fulfilling Prophecy occurs when a person bases behavior on preexisting expectations about another
person or situation in order to create an outcome aligned with those expectations
*Impression Management is the process by which we attempt to influence the perceptions others may
have of us
*When people have an understanding of the traps that they could fall into regarding their own
perceptions, then they can work to change them within themselves and others
*Changing perceptions is the first step in changing behavior