Common Shortcuts In Judging Others.

 

We use number of shortcuts when we judge others. These techniques are frequently valuable: they allow us to make accurate perceptions rapidly and provide valid data for making predictions. However they are not foolproof. They can get us into trouble.

 

Selective Perception

Any characteristic that makes a person, an object, or an event stand out will increase the probability that we will perceive it. WhyM Because it is impossible for us to assimilate everything we see, we can take only certain stimuli. Because we can't observe everything going on about us, we engage in selective perception. Selective perception allows us to “speed-read” others.

 

Halo Effect

When we draw a general impression about an individual on the basis of a single characteristic, such as intelligence, sociability, or appearance, halo effect is operating. The halo effect is a cognitive bias in which an observer's overall impression of a person, company, brand, or product influences the observer's feelings and thoughts about that entity's character or properties.

 

Contrast Effects

An old adage among entertainers is “Never follow an act that has kids or animals in it.” Why? Audiences love children and animals so much that you will look bad in comparison. This example demonstrates how a contrast effect can distort perceptions. We do not evaluate a person in isolation. Our reaction to a person is influenced by other persons we have recently encountered.

 

Stereotyping

When we judge someone on the basis of our perception of the group to which he or she belongs, we are using the shortcut called stereotyping. We rely on generalizations every day because they help us to make decisions quickly, they are means of simplifying a complex world.

 

One of the problems of stereotypes is that they are widespread and often useful generalizations, despite the fact that they may not contain a shred of truth when applied to a particular person or situation. Thus, we constantly have to check ourselves to make sure we are not unfairly or inaccurately applying a stereotype in our evaluations and decisions.