Perceptual ErrorsThe perceptual process may result in a person making errors in judgment or understanding of another person. Research done at the University of California-Los Angelas has found that perceptual errors can be instantly corrected by the brain. It had been previously thought that the recalibration would take time, and applied more to long term injuries, disabilities, and growth periods. The findings of the study could mean changes in the way rehabilitation is done for strokes and other brain injuries.

The most common types of perceptual errors are :

Accuracy in judgment Perceptual defense Stereotyping The Halo effect Projection Role of culture Expectancy effects Self-fulfilling prophecy

Accuracy in judgment Similarity error – Assuming that people who are similar to us ( in terms of

background, interests and hobbies) will behave like us. Contrast error – Comparing people to others rather than to some absolute

standard. Overweighting of negative information – A tendency to overreact to something negative. Race, age, and gender bias – Tendency to be more or less positive based on one’s

race, age, of sex.

Perceptual defense The tendency for people to protect themselves against ideas,

objects, or situations that are threatening. Stereotyping The belief that all members of a specific group share similar

traits and behaviors. Halo effect A tendency to color everything we know about a person

because of one recognizable favorable or unfavorable trait. Projection Tendency to see one’s traits in others. The role of culture – Culture influence our perception in selecting information and

exhibiting a behavioral pattern in situations

Expectancy effects : Extent to which expectations bias how

events, objects, and people are actually perceived.

Self-fulfilling prophecy : Expecting certain things to happen will

shape the behavior of the perceiver in such a way that the expected is more likely to happen.