O’Hair and Wiemann (2012) said
that cultural factors, such as age, gender, religious beliefs, sexual
orientation, even where we grow up, impact our perception and the perception of
others. Because of the different
perceptions, there are some similarities and differences between how we
evaluated ourselves as a communicator and how others evaluated us.
Communication is a more much
complex, transactional process, being expressed through language, nonverbal
behaviors, cultural understandings, and even unintentional reactions. As a result, if messages are sent not
appropriately or effectively, the receiver will perceive them wrongly, and will misunderstand or misjudge the sender.
In the evaluation, I did not aware
that others perceived me as being timid to speak out publicly, or avoid talking
to people that I do not know well. It could be my nonverbal cues have made others to interpret
wrongly. Thus, even I have the tendency
to speak out in some contexts, my behaviors of being of quiet instead of proactive, leading others to think that I am reluctant to do public
speaking.
Two insights gained about
communication in this week study.
The first one is that perception plays in the communication process is
critical to our success as communicators.
Therefore, we need to aware how we communicate and understand how others
view us as a communicator. By
doing so, we are alert and be reflective in our role as an early childhood
professional. The second insight
gained is that cultural differences have a strong impact in influencing our
perception. Each of communicator
brings his or her culture to the process of communication. We need to accept the reality of the
uniqueness of perception each one has.
Once we can identify and learn to understand the differences of these
perceptions, we can become be more sensitive and mindful when communicating
with others, particularly to young children and their families. Eventually, the wellbeing of young
children will be fostered when communication is effective and appropriate.
Reference:
O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.
Wong,
ReplyDeleteI had almost the opposite from my evaluators. While our scores were somewhat similar there were questions they answered that surprised me such as that I never get nervous before public speaking and I do get nervous I guess it just does not show. Throughout my career I have found having other evaluate me in specific areas always helpful, since we are never sure how we are perceived.
Leslie Porter
Wong,
ReplyDeleteI agree with cultural differences having a strong impact in influencing our perception. You write very well, I wouldn't imagine you being timid when speaking in public.
Wong,
ReplyDeleteI think personality can impact others perception of you and it seems like your more personality caused others to assume things about you that really are not true. I was expecting others to evaluate me differently than I did myself because people often tell me that I am a really hard person to read.
You statement that perception plays in the communication process is critical to our success as communicators was on target I thought. It is the foundation to our success. Perception is the reality to that person whether it is true or not. I tell my staff all the time if the person on the phone calls perception is that we are not meeting their needs then that is their reality and we have to change what we are doing to meet their needs.
Jill
Wong,
ReplyDeleteI agree that perception plays a big role in communication. I have been someone hurt by a negative perception of African American males and it hurts. I think that it is great that you recognize this as important. In our work with young children it is important to teach them to not prejudge people because of negative perceptions.
I agree perception is important for communication process. The way we perceive others as well as they perceive us helps us understand and improve our communication skills.
ReplyDelete