Perception & Attribution

What is the process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory impressions in order to give meaning to their environment?

• interpretation

• environmental analysis

• outlook

• perception

Our perception might be different from the reality.

• True

• False

What are the three classes of factors that influence perception?

• factors in the setting, factors in the environment, and factors in the motives

• factors in the perceiver, factors in the target, and factors in the situation

• factors in the character, factors in knowledge, and factors in experience

• factors in the senses, factors in the surroundings, and factors in the lighting

Two people see the same thing at the same time yet interpret it differently. Where do the factors that operate to shape their dissimilar perceptions reside?

• the perceiver

• the target

• the situation

• the context

Answer explanation

Factor in the perceiver is an internal factor that resides in the person looking at a target, eg. the perceiver's background or interest.

When individuals observe another person’s behavior, they attempt to determine whether it is internally or externally caused. This phenomenon is most directly relevant to which of the following?

•      the Pygmalion effect

• projection theory

• attribution theory

• selective perception theory

Shortcuts in judging others include all of the following except _____.

• stereotyping

• halo effect

• projection

• self-serving bias

Answer explanation

Self-serving bias is an attribution error/shortcut.

We engage in ________because it is impossible for us to assimilate everything we perceive.

• selective perception

• memorization

• mental desensitization

• periodic listening

Answer explanation

Selective perception is a perceptual shortcut in which we select what we want to see, instead of seeing everything.

Jennifer has already presented two excellent reports. The report she has just presented is clearly not as good as the first two reports, yet she is given the same high grade as before. What shortcut has the teacher used in this case?

• contrast effect

• halo effect

• stereotyping

• projection

Answer explanation

Halo effect is operating here. The teacher has made a general impression of Allison based on a single characteristic, ie Allisons' first two reports; and assume that her third report will be as equally good.

Allison has just presented her paper and has done a really good job. Why should you not want to present your own paper directly after she does?

• to avoid the stereotyping effect

• to avoid the halo effect

• to avoid the contrast effect

• to avoid the projection effect

Answer explanation

Contrast effect is where we tend to compare a person with other people that we have met before the person.

You have heard that the teacher believes that men perform better in oral presentations than women. What shortcut has the teacher used in this case?

• halo effect

• contrast effect

• stereotyping

• selective perception

Answer explanation

Stereotyping is a shortcut in perception in which we judge a person based on the group to which he or she belongs. In this case, the group is based on gender (male/female).