John is an engineer who recently learned that his retiring boss was going to be replaced by someone from outside the engineering firm for which he works. John knows little about the man replacing his boss, other than that he is coming from a competing firm where John himself had once worked for seven years. In John's experience at the other firm, he had found the management to often be overbearing and harsh. John was convinced that his new boss would be a difficult person for whom to work. Which of the following statements BEST describes John's perceptions about his new boss?
A) John was stereotyping his new boss based on the fact that he was part of management.
B) John's motivational state resulted in a preconceived perception of his new boss.
C) John's schemas determined the way in which he perceived his new boss.
D) John's mood on the day of hearing about his boss's replacement caused him to perceive his new boss in a negative light.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

John's perception of his new boss is influenced by his past experiences and beliefs about management based on his schemas. These schemas are cognitive structures that organize knowledge and expectations about a particular concept or group of people. John's previous experience with management has led him to expect that his new boss will be difficult to work with, which is an example of how schemas can influence perception. Stereotyping (A) would involve making assumptions about his boss based solely on his management position, which is not mentioned in the passage. John's motivational state (B) and mood (D) may influence his perception, but the passage does not provide enough information to support these options.

John Is an Engineer Who Recently Learned That His Retiring