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

Several perceptual distortions include: 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.