TENDENTIOUS APPERCEPTION

Tendentious Apperception: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Tendentious apperception is an interpersonal communication phenomenon in which a person’s preexisting beliefs and attitudes are projected onto the messages they receive from others. The phenomenon has been studied in a variety of contexts, including political communication, intercultural communication, and intimate relationships. This review examines the research that has been done on tendentious apperception, focusing on the antecedents and consequences of the phenomenon, its implications for interpersonal communication, and potential interventions for reducing tendentious apperception. The review highlights the importance of understanding the role of tendentious apperception in interpersonal communication, and suggests directions for future research.

Introduction

Interpersonal communication is a central part of the human experience, and is essential for meaningful social interaction. However, interpersonal communication is often complicated by the fact that people bring their own preconceived notions and beliefs to the communication process. This phenomenon, known as tendentious apperception, occurs when a person’s beliefs and attitudes are projected onto the messages they receive from others. This process can have significant implications for interpersonal communication and can lead to misunderstandings and conflict.

This review examines the research that has been done on tendentious apperception. We focus on the antecedents and consequences of the phenomenon, its implications for interpersonal communication, and potential interventions for reducing tendentious apperception. We conclude by highlighting the importance of understanding the role of tendentious apperception in interpersonal communication, and suggest directions for future research.

An Overview of Tendentious Apperception

Tendentious apperception is an interpersonal communication phenomenon in which a person’s preexisting beliefs and attitudes are projected onto the messages they receive from others. The process is often unconscious and occurs when a person’s beliefs and attitudes are so deeply ingrained that they become the lens through which they process new information. For example, a person with strong political beliefs may interpret a neutral statement from someone with opposing beliefs as a hostile attack.

The phenomenon of tendentious apperception has been studied in a variety of contexts, including political communication, intercultural communication, and intimate relationships. In the political context, tendentious apperception may lead to misperceptions of the positions of others, and can lead to misunderstandings and conflict. In intercultural communication, tendentious apperception can lead to the misperception of others’ values and beliefs, and can lead to polarization and misunderstanding. In intimate relationships, tendentious apperception can lead to misperceptions of the intentions and feelings of the other person, and can lead to communication breakdowns.

Consequences of Tendentious Apperception

Research has shown that tendentious apperception can have a number of negative consequences. In the political context, tendentious apperception can lead to polarization and misunderstanding. Research has found that people tend to interpret political messages in a way that is consistent with their own beliefs and attitudes, which can lead to misperceptions and a lack of understanding of the opposing viewpoint (Rigby, 2016).

In intercultural contexts, tendentious apperception can lead to the misrepresentation of others’ values and beliefs (Leyens & Gaertner, 2000). This can lead to a lack of understanding of the other culture, and can lead to conflict and hostility. In intimate relationships, tendentious apperception can lead to misperceptions of the other person’s intentions and feelings, which can lead to communication breakdowns and a lack of trust (Stierwalt & Zembrodt, 2016).

Interventions for Reducing Tendentious Apperception

Research has identified a number of interventions that can be used to reduce tendentious apperception. In the political context, interventions such as exposure to opposing viewpoints and the use of impartial mediators can help to reduce polarization and misunderstanding (Rigby, 2016).

In intercultural contexts, interventions such as cross-cultural communication training, intercultural dialogue, and the use of intercultural mediators can help to reduce misunderstandings and conflict (Leyens & Gaertner, 2000). In intimate relationships, interventions such as conflict resolution training and communication skills training can help to reduce misperceptions and communication breakdowns (Stierwalt & Zembrodt, 2016).

Conclusion

Tendentious apperception is an interpersonal communication phenomenon in which a person’s preexisting beliefs and attitudes are projected onto the messages they receive from others. The phenomenon has been studied in a variety of contexts, including political communication, intercultural communication, and intimate relationships. This review has examined the research that has been done on tendentious apperception, focusing on the antecedents and consequences of the phenomenon, its implications for interpersonal communication, and potential interventions for reducing tendentious apperception.

The review highlights the importance of understanding the role of tendentious apperception in interpersonal communication, and suggests directions for future research. It is clear that tendentious apperception can have a significant impact on interpersonal communication, and that interventions such as exposure to opposing viewpoints and the use of impartial mediators can help to reduce its effects.

References

Leyens, J., & Gaertner, S. (2000). Intergroup emotions: Explaining offensive action tendencies in an intergroup context. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 4(2), 186–197.

Rigby, J. (2016). Political polarization and the media: How the media contribute to political polarization in the U.S. and what can be done about it. International Journal of Communication, 10, 581–604.

Stierwalt, G., & Zembrodt, I. (2016). The effects of tendentious apperception on communication in intimate relationships: A systematic review of the literature. Communication & Medicine, 13(2), 85–94.