Predicting Values and Beliefs: Learning That Can Last

Abstract

The authors developed this experiential exercise to aid students in learning how others perceive them as well as how they perceive others and, ultimately, to begin to help them identify the origins of such perceptions. The exercise’s goal is to explore how participants may make inaccurate perceptions of others and how they might pierce through these misperceptions to develop a new way of valuing others. Ultimately, it seeks to help learners identify common biases such as confirmation/disconfirmation bias, stereotyping, projection, and halo effects and to practice active, nonjudgmental listening and empathy as well as receptivity to differences they may have with others. It is especially useful as a structured student experience when studying perception and individual differences in organizational behavior classes, in some of which the authors have used it multiple times. They have also used different iterations to open conferences, as an icebreaker, in executive training, and in self-development courses. Detailed instructions, description of the authors’ debriefing experiences, and student evaluations are provided.