How do bias and distortion arise in the perceptual process What can managers do to reduce
This essay attempts to define bias and distortion and how its affects in the workplace can be minimised. After a summary of this essay, I will define what the perceptual process is. An explanation of bias and distortion, as aspects of perception, are then needed before we can understand the how they affect interpretation of the information we gather. Explaining how bias and distortion affects perception, leads on to how managers can reduce the effects of these especially during selection stages. Bias and distortion are negative aspects which affect our perception. ... Managers who recognise the alterations that bias and distortion cause usually try to reduce the effects, using methods such as self-awareness development. The perceptual process has five main points, as described by Huczynski and Buchanan (2001). ... Perceptual organisation - We look for order, pattern, and meaning 4. ... This process happens instantaneously and helps us to make sense of the world around us, by putting the data that we collect - consciously and unconsciously – into context. Perception can be described as ‘The dynamic psychological process responsible for attending to, organising, and interpreting sensory data’ (Huczynski and Buchanan 2001,p212). ... The problems arise because of the way we try to make information ‘fit’ with what we understand. By making things ‘fit’, we introduce bias and distortion. Bias is a strong feeling in favour or against a person or argument. ... Distortion occurs when facts and ideas are twisted or changed so that they are no longer correct or true. Though both of these factors are undesirable, they are often hard to avoid as individuals frequently succumb to bias and distortion unconsciously. Distortion is not always negative. ... Bias and distortion arise primarily because of our need to make information ‘fit’. ... On many occasions bias arises because of perceptions made during previous experiences or because of beliefs passed down to us from other sources. ... Bias can also arise during the initial impression formation process.