Definition of Social Perception

It is understood by perception social the process by which people interpret social reality. In other words, it refers to how we perceive others and how we interpret their behavior.

The idea of ​​perception is applicable to social relations

Perception is one of the classic themes of the psychology. In this sense, psychology at the beginning of the 20th century focused on the study of the laws that determine our sensory perception. With the passage of time some psychologists observed that these laws can be applied to the social sphere.

Aspects of social perception

Perception interpersonal It is divided into two areas: the perception of other individuals and the perception of social groups.

The process of perception implies, in the first place, the existence of an observer and a person who is the object of perception. The observer adopts the role of judge and perceives the conduct of the others and gives it a meaning.

The information we perceive about others is complex, since very varied information is perceived

Thus, in the first place we perceive the physical characteristics of the other (their complexion, their height and their general appearance). Then we perceive the unobservable characteristics of the subject, which implies a series of feelings and emotions. Likewise, we also capture characteristics of your personality, its ideology or his abilities. The observer's culture and his previous experience also intervene in the perception process.

One of the key elements in the processes of social perception is the question of social roles. Normally we perceive the other from the role he occupies in society and we especially value prestige and prestige. professional success of some people, but we undervalue others because their role is less recognized Social.

The role of prejudices in the perception of the other

When we meet a person, our perception of him or her may be conditioned by our prejudices. A prejudice is a preconceived idea. Opinion about others based on prejudices is a strategy leading to the creation of stereotypes. In this way, we pigeonhole someone not because of his personal qualities but because of other circumstances (his social class, their ethnicity, their language or their way of dressing).

Social perception based on prejudice is a source of conflict, since judging others without knowing them is an unfair and unintelligent approach.

Photos: iStock - Gawrav Sinha / Bartosz Hadyniak