When several different people look at the same person, it is not unusual for each of them to see different things; when you alone observe one behavior or one person at two different times, you may see different things. The following are but some of the factors that lead to these varying perceptions(感知):

⑴ Each person’s perceptions of others are formed by his or her own cultural conditioning, education, and personal experience.

⑵ Sometimes perceptions differ because of what we choose to observe and how we deal with what we’ve observed. It is not necessarily true that person’s perception is based on observations of a particular person. Your observations may be totally controlled by what others have told you about this person; or you may focus(关注) primarily on the situation or role relationship. Most people do not use the same yardstick(标准) to measure their parents, their friends, and strangers.

⑶ Sometimes we see only what we want to see, what may be obverse (对应面) to others because of our own needs, desires, or temporary (临时的) emotional states. This is a process known as selective perception. Selective perception is obviously more difficult when contradictory (矛盾的) information is particularly obvious, but it can be done. We can ignore the stimulus—“He’s basically a good boy, so what I saw was not shoplifting.” We can reduce the importance of the contradictory information—“All kids get into mischief (顽皮). Taking a book from the bookstore isn’t such a big deal.” We can change the meaning of the contradictory information—“It wasn’t shoplifting because he was going to pay for it later.”…

23. The first factor given by the author that affects our perception is ______.

A. the abilities of one’s auditory (听的) and visual sensors

B. cultural background and personal experience

C. experiences one learns from others

D. critical measures taken by other people

24. While observing a particular person, _________

A. one is likely to take all sides into consideration

B. one pays more attention to his or her advantages

C. children often differ from grown ups in perception

D. one tends to choose certain clues (提示) to look for

25. Observation of the same person by two people at the same time may differ because ___.

A. their yardsticks are not the same

B. either of them may be slow to catch information

C. the time for observation is not long enough

D. each of them uses different language to express his or her impressions

26. The worst thing in selective perception is that ______.

A. perceived information runs against your desire

B. facts can be totally ignored and distorted (扭曲)

C. importance of contradictory information can be overrated (估计过高)

D. the same information may not be dealt with in the same way