Perception 1

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Why is Perception important in the study of OB?

Simply because people’s behaviour is based on their perception of what reality is, not on reality itself.

Perception 

Perception is a process by which individuals organise and interpret their sensory impressions in order to give meaning to their environment.

Perceptual Process The components of perceptual process are: (i) Inputs (ii) Perceptual Mechanisms - Selection - Organisation (Figure-Ground, Perceptual Grouping, Simplification, Closure) - Interpretation (iii) Outputs (iv) Behaviour 

Factors affecting Perception 

Characteristics of the Perceiver

-Attitudes

-Motives -Interests -Past Experience -Expectations 

Characteristics of the Situation

-Time

-Work setting -Social setting

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Characteristics of the Target(Perceived)

-Novelty -Motion -Size -Background -Proximity -Similarity

Attribution Theory The theory suggests that when we observe an individual’s behaviour, we attempt to determine whether it was internally or externally caused. This determination largely depends on three factors: (i) Distinctiveness: It refers to whether an individual displays different behaviours in different situations. (ii) Consensus: If everyone who is faced with a similar situation responds in the same way, it means the behaviour shows consensus. 

(iii) Consistency: Does the person responds the same way over time.

Distortions in attribution: -Fundamental Attribution Error: While making judgements about the behaviour of other people, the tendency to underestimate the influence of external factors and overestimate the influence of internal factors. -Self-serving Bias: The tendency for individuals to attribute their own successes to internal factors while putting the blame for failure on external factors.

Perceptual Errors 

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Selective Perception- People selectively interpret what they see on the basis of their interests, background, experience and attitudes. Halo Effect- Drawing a general impression about an individual on the basis of a single characteristic. Contrast Effect- Evaluation of a person’s characteristics that are affected by comparisons with other people recently encountered who rank higher or lower on the same characteristics.

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Projection- Attributing one’s own characteristics to other people. Stereotyping- Judging someone on the basis of one’s perception of the group to which that person belongs.

Specific Applications in Organisations Employment Interview  Performance Expectations (Self- fulfilling prophecy)- A situation in which one person 

inaccurately perceives a second person and the resulting expectations cause the second person to behave in ways consistent with the original perception. 

Ethnic Profiling- A form of stereotyping in which a group of individuals is singled out typically on the basis of religion or ethnicity for intensive enquiry or investigation.

Performance Evaluation  Employee Effort- An assessment of an individual’s 

effort is a subjective judgment susceptible to perceptual distortions and bias.