Week 3 Assignment: Perceptions

Business

A work group completes a project, meeting a big deadline, and the manager invites everyone to a celebration after work on Friday. Everyone is excited to go except Phillip, who is an Orthodox Jew. Orthodox Jews begin their Sabbath on Friday night by resting and not going out. Rather than say anything about not being able to go out Friday night due to his religion, Phillip just doesnt show up. When Philip didnt attend the gathering, his manager concluded he wasnt a team player.

Instructions: Address the following questions:

1.) Explain the perceptions of both parties in the scenario - How do you feel Phillip may perceive the way his work views his religious beliefs? How do Phillips coworkers perceive his actions?

2.) What are some ways Phillips manager and co-workers may have formed these perceptions in relationship to this scenario? Include at least two examples.

3.) Do you feel Phillips manager and co-workers perceptions resulted from top- down or bottom-up processing? Be sure to explain your response.

4.) How would acknowledging perceptual and cultural differences be useful in your future career (Be sure to address your profession/field specifically)?

5) How can we, as business professionals, become more culturally aware?

6.) Describe an event or occurrence specific to your own culture that differs from another. Be sure to explain what the event or occurrence is and provide a thorough explanation of how it differs from another culture.