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COMM301

Week 3: Self, Identity, Perception & Attribution

Perception Check Activity

Instructions

This activity helps you practice perception checking and become aware of your attribution tendencies. Take 20-25 minutes to thoughtfully complete each prompt.

1Practice Prompt
Think of a recent situation where you misinterpreted someone's behavior - where your perception turned out to be wrong. Describe what happened, what you initially thought, and what was actually going on.

Consider times when you later learned you had misread a situation.

2Practice Prompt
Using the perception checking model from the reading, write out how you could have checked your perception in that situation. Include: (1) a description of the behavior, (2) two possible interpretations, and (3) a request for clarification.

Try to keep your description neutral and your interpretations genuinely open.

3Practice Prompt
Reflect on your typical attribution patterns. When someone does something that affects you negatively, do you tend to make internal attributions (it's their personality) or external attributions (it's the situation)? What about when someone does something positive?

Most people have consistent patterns - try to identify yours.

4Practice Prompt
Identify one relationship where you think the fundamental attribution error may be affecting your communication. How might considering situational factors for the other person's behavior change your approach?

This is often most visible in ongoing conflicts or frustrations.