Review the concept of perception and perceptual error:
Perception is a process which individuals organize and explain their impressions in order to give meaning to their environment. But, there is usually a grand gap between reality and our perception. Meanwhile, different individuals rarely have the same view about the same thing in the same situation. This is due to people`s action relies on their perception rather than reality.
Perceptual errors are the social perception of human and they cannot always reflect the objective situation, due to a variety of reasons. For instance, one may misunderstand others` motivations, evaluated their employees` performance incorrectly etc. Perceptual errors include, but are not limited to projection, stereotyping, contrast effect, halo effect, and selective perception.
How perception is helpful when it is accurate (true):
Under the theoretical conditions, the perceivers will collect enough information, evaluate this information correctly, compare the advantages and disadvantages, and make the rational decisions. But in real life, perceivers usually cannot achieve that, due owing to being short of time, unwillingness or lack of ability. By perception, which is based on perceptual short cuts, quick assessment situations, even summaries of experience, perceivers can make the decision faster— although it isn`t very accurate. But comparing the opportunity cost, perception is not a bad deal.
A personal experience about perception or perceptual errors:
When I was working as a manager, I was impressed by the feedback from one of our customers. At the beginning of the business, rules have been settled, including dress code, but the dress code wasn`t enforced. For a long time, the performance stopped in low position, lower than the average level. By telephoning, texting, and emailing the customers, the main reason has been found: our staffs dressed casually to meet the