People in society constantly interact with each other through communications.
Perceptual side of communication allows you to get the most accurate ideas about the identity of the interlocutor.
Perceptual side of communication
What is the perceptual side of communication?
Perception - it is a reflection of the objects and phenomena with which a person encounters at the cognitive level.
Under the perceptual side of communication, from a psychological point of view, refers to the perception of another person, awareness of the characteristics of another person.
Opponent's perception can occur through an understanding of his attitudes, goals, motives and attitudes. In this case, the formation of an objective assessment of another person, the properties of which do not overlap with the properties of the knowing subject.
On the other hand, in the process of perception of the interlocutor, not only his understanding can occur, but also Adoption. In this case, all values and attitudes are divided, coordinated by people.
When such acceptance occurs, close interpersonal relations of a different level arise: affection, friendship, love, etc.
With the help of the perceptual side of communication, we “Read” another person. The degree of accuracy of the conclusions to which we come depends on the success of communication with the individual. Incorrect identification of the interlocutor can cause misunderstanding, conflict.
Functions of social perception
Social perception is a complex process, during which people understand the surrounding social objects (people, groups, communities).
As a result of a similar process in the consciousness of an individual certain steady images.
Briefly about the main functions of perception:
- Self cognition. Awareness of yourself through other objects. It is during social interaction that a person receives information about himself, food for thought. Often the perception of the interlocutor's personality helps to identify those aspects inherent in him that find a response in their own minds. As a result, a person reveals his hidden needs, desires, doubts.
- Cognition partner. To know a person, to understand his views and beliefs is possible only with the help of communication at the perceptual level. This is the only way to get reliable information about someone.
To gain trust, to establish and effectively develop contact is possible only as a result of the perception of the opponent's personality.
Human activity is impossible outside communication. Friendly, friendly, friendly, love relationships are impossible without communication.
- Organization of joint activities. Understanding or acceptance by the subjects of social relations of each other is the basis for the further construction of joint activities. A clear awareness of the motives, attitudes and values of the partner allows you to develop a model of effective interaction with him. If it is not about the interaction of individuals with each other, but about relationships in a group, then the role of social perception only increases. The joint activity of group members becomes effective only when all of them are able to accept or understand the attitudes of each other.
- Formation of mutual understanding. In the process of communication, people achieve mutual understanding, which is the cementing factor of any social relations (family, romantic, business, etc.).
Finding points of convergence of interests, identifying common views and beliefs allows you to find a compromise, to enjoy the pleasure of joint activities.
- Establishing an emotional relationship. Man is a creature emotional, so any social interaction causes him certain emotions. When people come in contact, they form certain emotional relationships: sympathy, hostility, rejection, joy, etc.
Perceptual component
This component allows correctly interpret the appearance, the behavior of the interlocutor.
On the basis of the information received, a conclusion is drawn about the peculiarities of the personality, the reasons for actions.
Without perception, communications would be rather superficial and ineffective. Man would only perceive "External picture" - The image of the opponent and his words.
Real thoughts, behavioral motives, hidden experiences and much more would elude attention. It is thanks to social perception that it becomes possible to accurately perceive the surrounding objects, to build effective interaction with them.
This component is fully manifested when a person is free from stereotypes, predetermined attitudes and beliefs. They interfere with objectively evaluating a partner and in advance form a certain image in consciousness, which is often far from reality.
It is also important not to rush to the conclusion and give yourself time to form reliable assessment. Often, people make erroneous conclusions about the interlocutor, with whom they spoke for quite a short time.
A person’s personality can be correctly assessed only as a result of receiving comprehensive information about him, observing him in various life situations.
The perceptual component allows change the already established opinion about the individual.
Sometimes people meet a person who was well known in the past, and are surprised to find significant changes in his character.
Similar opportunity reject primary assessment, formed earlier, appears as a result of understanding and acceptance of those characteristics of the interlocutor, which are observed in him at the current time.
Aspects
Initially, the perceptual aspect is manifested in visual perception of the interlocutor. From the point of view of physiognomy, there is a definite connection between the facial features of a person and his psychological characteristics, behavioral features.
Communicating with the opponent, we subconsciously or consciously analyze his appearance and build the first assumptions about his personality.
Next is set certain emotional interaction. If the conversation is negative, then, as a rule, a negative perception of the opponent’s personality is formed.
If the conversation is colored in a positive tone, then the location to the person appears more likely.
This is where the main problem of the perceptual aspect lies - during the initial acquaintance we can do wrong conclusions the identity of the partner only on the basis of the prevailing fleeting impression.
Reliable perception of another subject is possible only as a result of close observation.
During the communication takes place observation behind the words, gestures, manners, mimicry of the opponent.
The resulting verbal, non-verbal information allows us to draw conclusions and come to an understanding of a person’s personality.
Mechanisms
The mechanisms of the perceptual side of communication suggest:
- Reflection. The ability to assess their actions and actions, draw conclusions from the current situation and be aware of the desired ways of further developments.
During communication, we try to present the impression that we make to the interlocutor. If the result does not meet expectations, reflection occurs.
- Identification. Implies assimilation to another individual. During the dialogue, we put ourselves in the place of another person and try to look at the situation through his eyes, through the prism of his worldview.
- Empathy. This is the ability to empathize, to share emotions. The greatest degree of empathy is characteristic of people with a fine mental organization, a developed system of moral values. They are able to clearly assess the condition of other people, watching their actions, words, gestures and facial expressions.
- Anthropological stereotypes. Assessment of the internal, psychological qualities of the individual is based on the perception of anthropological characteristics of a person. For example, a person decides for himself that the deep-set eyes of the interlocutor testify to a secretive and hard character, and his pampered hands speak of laziness.
- Social stereotypes. The assessment of the partner’s identity is based on the available information on his social status, material status, position held, etc.
- Aesthetic stereotypes. A judgment about a person is built on the basis of his visual attractiveness.
For example, a beautiful and smiling girl is perceived by the interlocutors as a kind and open person, although her external attractiveness may in no way reflect the essence of her personality.
- Projection. The endowment of the communication partner with the qualities that are inherent in the subject. This can occur consciously or unconsciously.
- Casual attribution. Interpretation of the words and actions of another person based on their own observations, assumptions.
Characteristics and features
The perceptual side includes the following important processes:
- perception of the physical characteristics of the subject;
- evaluation of non-verbal signals from the opponent (facial expressions, gestures, glance);
- perception of incoming verbal information in the process of dialogue;
- monitoring behavioral responses;
- the formation on the basis of the data obtained representations of intentions, beliefs, abilities, emotions of the interlocutor;
- the formation of the emotional perception of the subject;
- installation of effective interaction (or lack of such a possibility).
The higher the perceptual skills of an individual are developed, the easier it is for him to build communication with other members of society, social groups and communities.
Understanding the characteristics of the subjects of communication allows you to most productively organize interaction with them, avoid possible misunderstandings, conflicts.
The peculiarities of this process include the significant influence on it of age, professional, sexual, emotional, psychological factors.
Human skill perceive other people and build relationships with them depends on life experience, emotional sensitivity, level of self-esteem, intelligence, specific circumstances, professional skills, etc.
Thus, the level of empathy (empathy to the interlocutor) directly depends on the emotional qualities of the person and having life experience in a specific matter.
A person who has survived the loss in the past will be able to share the bitterness of the loss with his interlocutor due to the presence of similar experience and understanding of his feelings.
The absence of such experience in the past will not fully feel partner and understand his behavior.
So, the perceptive side of communication plays a big role in the process of people interacting with each other.
The ability to feel the inner world of the interlocutor allows you to determine his beliefs and predict behavior.
Perceptual side of communication:
