Question

Write your real-life experience where the role of perception-checking is very important on interpersonally communicating with others.

Answer 1

My experience of role of perception-checking has been very interesting in case of interpersonal communications with others.

Perception checking has served as a good tool to help me understand others accurately instead of jumping to conclusions or assuming that my first interpretation is the correct one.

Using this strategy has always been a way of reducing defensiveness in the other person since I am not attacking them, I merely ask people for clarification during interpersonal communication. Another additional benefit is that it helps me to preserve the face of both parties and prevent a fight over a misunderstanding. My role is to complete a perception check in people’s real life.

I perform perception checking through three steps:

1. A description of the behavior that I notice in people,

2. At least two possible interpretations of the behavior,

3. A request for clarification.

I would like to share one example here to clearly explain these three steps involved in the perception-checking (This example is basically in form of a part of conversation which I said to someone):

"You said you really liked the job I did." (behavior)

"On the other hand, there was something about your voice which made me think that you may not like it." (first interpretation)

"Maybe it's just my imagination though." (Second interpretation)

"What did you really think about the job?" (request for clarification)