Jay drove to work by himself every weekday. On this particular Monday morning, he arrived in his office parking lot a few minutes before nine o'clock. He had several thoughts on his mind and was not ready to see a small moped parked in his reserved spot. In fact, because the moped was set back deep in the spot and between cars, he could not see it until he made the turn into the space. Jay slammed on the breaks but failed to stop before hitting the scooter. The moped wobbled and then fell to the ground. Jay backed up his car and them placed the car in park. He got out of his car and moved quickly to examine the results. He was surveying the damage done to his own bumper when a person, Tim, whom he recognized but could not name, approached him on the run. The following conversation ensued:

1 T: What's your problem? What the hell did you do to my Honda? I said, 'What did you do?'

2 J: I drove into my spot and didn't see your bike. What was it doing parked there?

3 T: Look, my tire's flat. I can't move the wheel. Crushed in and doesn't move.

4 J: I didn't see it until I was on top of it.

5 T: You are going to have to pay for this. I can't afford this.

6 J: What was it doing in a parking space?

7 T: What's your problem? It was parked. Look at the wheel. You came around pretty good.

8 J: Listen, this is my spot. I didn't see it, and it shouldn't have been there. You're lucky I stopped when I did. Look at my bumper. What was it doing there?

9 T: You ass. Who cares whose spit it is? Some jerk like you drives over my Honda and says, "This is my spot." I don't care who you are. You will fix my Honda!

10 J: You are the one with a problem. Do you work here?

11 T: What does that have to do with anything? Stop looking at your bumper; it looks fine. I want your driver's license and insurance.

12 J: Who in the hell do you think you are? (Starts walking away.)

13 T: You are not going anywhere. (Grabs Jay's arm.)

14 J: Let go of me. You are screwed. I'm calling the police. (Turns to move toward the office.)

15 Tim slugs Jay from behind. The two scuffle for a few moments until others arrive to break them apart.

Step 2:

• First, summarize the process of perception for both Jay and Tim. Include selection, organization, and interpretation. In other words, what did each person notice, how did they organize that information, and how did they interpret it. In your discussion of interpretation discuss attributions and assumptions based on what was said and done within the interaction.
• Second, make connections from the perception you described in step one to actions/responses in the conversation. You should discuss how a person's perception leads to certain types of responses and/or actions.
• Third, discuss how changes in any part of the perception process could have altered the interaction or the outcomes of this situation.