Deck 2: A: Perceiving the Self and Others

Question 1

Briefly describe how the use of stereotypes can become a challenge to a person's perception. Provide an example of a time when your own use of a stereotype prevented you from communicating effectively.

Answer 1

Stereotypes are fixed perceptions that do not adjust to varying interactions and circumstances. They apply generalizations about a group to the individual members of the group as if all members were the same. The generalizations may be erroneous to begin with, but they also ignore the unique characteristics the individual possesses. Finally, negative stereotypes about a group may discourage interaction with members of the group and can lead to prejudice. Examples will vary but should accurately reflect the use of a stereotype and should reflect a genuine challenge to communication competence.

Question 2

Briefly contrast cultural myopia and prejudice using an example of each to illustrate the difference between them.

Answer 2

Cultural myopia involves a failure to consider other cultural perspectives, whereas prejudice refers to deep-seated feelings of unkindness and ill will toward particular groups. Prejudice is usually based on negative stereotypes and feelings of superiority over certain groups. The examples students provide will vary but should be true to the definitions of the concepts.

Question 3

Explain how social comparison theory illuminates our understanding of why more and more boys and young men are using steroids today than in the past and why the number of men choosing to have elective cosmetic surgery has increased over the past several years. Identify specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Answer 3

Ideal answers will either provide a concrete definition of social comparison theory or demonstrate understanding of the theory through the application of it to this specific case. Strong answers will identify ways in which the media's portrayal of men has changed over recent years and how that has influenced men's self-concept and self-esteem. Additionally, strong answers may focus attention on the role of athletes as role models for boys and how recent discussion of steroid use among professional athletes may contribute to the problem.

Question 4

Describe and provide a narrative example to illustrate how self-concept, self-esteem, and self-efficacy come together to influence a person's communication choices and competence.

Question 5

Perceptual barriers like stereotyping and prejudice are still common in our culture. Using concepts discussed throughout the chapter, explain the role the media play in creating these perceptions. Explain how we, as a culture, can work to overcome these barriers.

Question 6

Your friend Maria has come to you for advice. She has two children, and she is concerned that playing violent video games and watching too much television are having a negative impact on them. Jose, who is ten, is getting into fights at school and is becoming more disrespectful to his parents every day. Christina, who is eight, now refuses to leave the house without wearing makeup and wakes nightly with nightmares about criminals breaking into their home. What would you say to Maria to help her make sense of her perceptions and the changes she sees in her children's perceptions and behaviors? What advice would you give her to improve her and her children's perceptions?

Question 7

Jody is terrified of giving oral presentations and has consequently put off applying for a promotion at work that would require her to train other employees and deliver quarterly reports to the committee that oversees training and professional development at her company. Synthesizing information from throughout this chapter, what would you say to Jody to help her understand how her perception of both the activity as well as herself has influenced her avoidance of this opportunity for career growth?
Answer Key

Question 8

Considering what you have read throughout this chapter, why do you think many teens and their parents have difficulty understanding one another? How can teens and parents improve their perception skills to enhance intergenerational understanding?

Question 9

Discuss a time when challenges to your own perception prevented you from being able to communicate effectively. What happened? How did you perceive the information presented to you? What specific challenges did you experience in your perception of the event? If you had the opportunity to go back in time and rewrite the scenario, what would you do to improve your perception and communicate more effectively?

Question 10

In your own words, explain how the fundamental attribution error impacts our perception. Provide a narrative example to illustrate how learning to recognize and overcome the fundamental attribution error could help a person grow.

Question 11

List and describe the three recommended ways for improving perception abilities and becoming a better communicator. Considering either a hypothetical cultural misunderstanding or one you have observed, illustrate how using these three steps could improve communication.