What are the Stages involved in Perception process ?

Perception has three stages, namely selection, organization and interpretation. We will see each
of the following in detail.

Selection

Selection comes into the picture when there are many things and we can’t take in so much as
the capacity of the brain is less therefore, we have to select the stimuli. That was in layman
words. Talking about perception, the world that we live in is filled with an infinite number of
stimuli that we might attend to, but our brains do not have the resources to pay attention to
everything. So, our first step is Selection which means selecting what we would like to attend to.
This is usually unconscious, but sometimes intentional decision. The stimuli that we select , it
may be smell, sight, voice , touch or any sense perception, that becomes an attended stimuli.
This is selection, the very first process of what we call as perception.

Organization

The choice that we make sets off a series of reactions in our brain once we have chosen to
attend to a stimulus in the environment. This might be unconscious but most of the time its
conscious. The process of the nerves is called the neural process and it starts with the
activation of our sensory receptors. These receptors are nothing but touch, taste, smell, sight,
and hearing. After the activation, the receptor transforms the energy into an activity which after
being tr transmitted to our brains, becomes a mental represented created by us. This
representation is called as precept. At a single point in time, we can create multiple precepts.

Interpretation

The last stage is of interpretation which happens after we have attended to a stimulus. After the
organization of the information that our brain has received we interpret it in a way that makes
sense using our existing information about the world. And then we turn it to something we can
analyze and understand. This happens unconsciously thousands of times a day.

Thus, to conclude in a simple and apt way we can say that perception is organizing, identifying
and then interpreting the information we get from the various stimuli and then represent and
understand the world around.

Write short notes on:> a. Halo Effect

b. Stereotyping

c. Important role played by Motivation.

The Halo Effect:

The halo effect can be defined as the tendency to use global evaluations to make judgments
about specific traits. In other words, we use a global characteristic (such as attractive or likable)
to determine specific personality traits (such as outgoing or kind). We attribute personality
qualities to people we have only seen, even though we have never met them, and the qualities
have nothing to do with their looks. This phenomenon happens unconsciously - we are unaware
of the bias we develop simply because of a person's attractiveness.

Imagine you were asked to look at head shots of several different people and then predict each
person's personality traits. Research suggests that you would most likely attribute positive traits
- intelligent, friendly, trustworthy and so on - to those you consider the most attractive. Contrary
to what you would think from a name like the 'halo' effect, though, the attributed characteristics
don't have to be positive. You would also be likely to attribute negative traits - grumpy, mean, etc.
- to those you consider unattractive.

The halo metaphor is used for the phenomenon because one characteristic (in this case,
attractiveness) outshines other characteristics and affects our perception when considering
additional traits. Additionally, the qualities that are superficially attributed to the attractive or
unattractive most commonly deal with social interaction: we tend to think that the beautiful are
outgoing and friendly, and the less attractive are shy and reserved.

Eg.. An example of the halo effect is that attractive workers are more likely to receive positive
performance reviews and promotions than their less attractive coworkers. The person's
attractiveness is outshining the rest of their characteristics and bathing them in a positive light.
The person is also assumed to be smart, motivated, and hardworking simply because of their
physical appearance.

B) Stereotyping

Stereotype is an extreme generalisation of belief about a particular group o community of

people. It is not only a preconceived notion about the certain group but a degree of expectation
from the individuals of that group. These expectations are not only centred around a particular
belief but also their attitude and personality.

Stereotypes are often inaccurate and create misconceptions regarding the community. Though
stereotypes are sometimes useful while understanding groups of people, their culture and
heritage, they are often over-generalised. These over-generalised stereotypes harm the
individuals who belong to the group yet don’t completely identical to the preconceived notions.

Stereotypes can be divided into:

Explicit stereotypes: Explicit stereotypes are the ones that a person holds and is aware of it. One
uses these stereotypes to judge others as well.

Implicit stereotypes: Implicit stereotypes are the ones that a person holds subconsciously. One
is not aware of the unconscious bias that one has regarding different communities. According
to social psychology, a stereotype is a widely recognised belief about different types and
variations of particular groups. These concepts are often far from reality. Stereotypes are often
related to the deep-rooted social psychology of the people.

c. Important role played by Motivation.

Puts human resources into action

Every concern requires physical, financial and human resources to accomplish the goals. It is
through motivation that the human resources can be utilized by making full use of it. This can
be done by building willingness in employees to work. This will help the enterprise in securing
best possible utilization of resources.

Improves level of efficiency of employees

The level of a subordinate or a employee does not only depend upon his qualifications and
abilities. For getting best of his work performance, the gap between ability and willingness has
to be filled which helps in improving the level of performance of subordinates. This will result
into-

Increase in productivity,

Reducing cost of operations, and

Improving overall efficiency.

Leads to achievement of organizational goals

The goals of an enterprise can be achieved only when the following factors take place :-

There is best possible utilization of resources,

There is a co-operative work environment,

The employees are goal-directed and they act in a purposive manner,

Goals can be achieved if co-ordination and co-operation takes place simultaneously which can
be effectively done through motivation.
Builds friendly relationship

Motivation is an important factor which brings employees satisfaction. This can be done by
keeping into mind and framing an incentive plan for the benefit of the employees. This could
initiate the following things:

Monetary and non-monetary incentives,

Promotion opportunities for employees,

Disincentives for inefficient employees.

In order to build a cordial, friendly atmosphere in a concern, the above steps should be taken by
a manager. This would help in:

Effective co-operation which brings stability,

Industrial dispute and unrest in employees will reduce,

The employees will be adaptable to the changes and there will be no resistance to the change,

This will help in providing a smooth and sound concern in which individual interests will coincide
with the organizational interests,

This will result in profit maximization through increased productivity.

Leads to stability of work force

Stability of workforce is very important from the point of view of reputation and goodwill of a
concern. The employees can remain loyal to the enterprise only when they have a feeling of
participation in the management. The skills and efficiency of employees will always be of
advantage to employees as well as employees. This will lead to a good public image in the
market which will attract competent and qualified people into a concern. As it is said, “Old is
gold” which suffices with the role of motivation here, the older the people, more the experience
and their adjustment into a concern which can be of benefit to the enterprise.